The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao has climbed to 45, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Deputy Administrator Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro said on Wednesday, June 10.
Speaking during an interview on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, Alejandro said as of 6 a.m. included eight additional fatalities reported overnight — seven from Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, and one from Malita, Davao Occidental.
Authorities reported that four people remain missing in Glan, Sarangani, and another four in General Santos City. Aside from these cases, the total number of reported missing persons has reached 17.
Alejandro said the earthquake has continued to generate strong seismic activity, with 1,953 aftershocks recorded in the affected areas as of 6 a.m.
The disaster has affected approximately 35,673 families across 199 barangays in Regions 11 (Davao Region) and 12, as well as parts of Region 9 (SOCCSKSARGEN) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Search, rescue, and retrieval operations remain ongoing, with personnel from the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed to the affected areas.
Alejandro said 3,773 uniformed personnel have been mobilized, with operations concentrated in Davao Oriental, General Santos City, and Sarangani Province.
Damage assessments also showed an increase in the number of affected homes. Authorities have recorded 3,169 damaged houses, including 528 that were totally destroyed.
“Tuloy-tuloy po ang ating search and rescue, ang ating search and retrieval operation. Tuloy tuloy po ang ating operations,” Alejandro emphasized.
Meanwhile, classes remain suspended in Regions 11 and 12, as well as selected areas in Region 9 and BARMM.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has led relief efforts, providing nearly P4.8 million worth of food and non-food assistance to affected communities, he said.
To support emergency response operations, Alejandro said the government has deployed 21 air and sea assets to General Santos City and Cotabato to deliver urgently needed supplies.
Initial damage to infrastructure in Regions 11 and 12 has been estimated at P562.8 million. Authorities reported damage to 29 road networks, 11 bridges, and facilities at General Santos Airport.
Alejandro acknowledged that communication remains a major challenge in some areas due to intermittent signal coverage. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is deploying additional communication equipment, including Starlink satellite internet units, to remote and hard-to-reach communities.
“We are challenged by ofcourse communication, medyo intermittent ang ating signal doon kaya puspusan po ang DICT, magdeploy ng mga additional communication equipment, mga starlink, doon sa mga hard to reach areas. Talagang we are utilizing all available air assets ng ating mga Philippine Air Force, yung ating mga barko dahil amy isla po na apektado yung Balut Island,” he said.
The government is also utilizing available air and sea assets from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to reach isolated areas, including Balut Island, which was among the areas affected by the quake.
Several countries have offered assistance to the Philippines, including the United States, Australia, Japan, and Singapore. Alejandro said the offers are currently being evaluated in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
He also welcomed assistance pledged by organizations, private individuals, and senators who have committed to donating one month's salary to support earthquake victims.
“We will facilitate na mapupunta yan sa tamang lugar,” Alejandro noted.
“Lahat po ng ahensya ay fully mobilize para po mabigyan ng assistance at makuha talag yung tamang damage report,” he also said.
