The reported death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao on June 8 has climbed to 61, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Saturday, as validation of casualties continues.
“As of 6:00 this morning, nasa 61 ang reported na dead casualty. Ongoing pa ang validation,” OCD Assistant Secretary and Deputy Administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said.
He added that authorities are still verifying the identities of the fatalities, though the bodies have already been accounted for.
The number of missing persons has decreased to 33 from 40, while the number of injured has risen to 1,221. According to the OCD, the Department of Health included in its count individuals who sought medical consultation due to dizziness, trauma, and related conditions following the quake.
Most of the fatalities were caused by earthquake-induced landslides and falling debris, with deaths from debris reported largely in General Santos City, while landslide-related deaths were recorded in Jose Abad Santos and Sarangani Island in Davao Occidental.
Search and retrieval operations remain ongoing, particularly in Sarangani and Jose Abad Santos, where access remains difficult due to landslides blocking road networks.
Alejandro said communication challenges also hampered response efforts, as some emergency telecom systems relying on generator sets ran out of fuel after two to three days, affecting coordination in remote areas.
“May problema sa komunikasyon… after 2-3 days, wala nang supply kaya nagpadala pa kami ng gasolina,” he said.
He added that rescue and relief operations have been focused on Jose Abad Santos, Glan in Sarangani, and nearby island areas, which were initially isolated within the first 72 hours. Helicopters and naval vessels have been used to deliver aid to affected communities.
Relief efforts continue, with food, water, tents, and housing materials being transported from Manila via Philippine Air Force aircraft, the Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Coast Guard. Military units and trucks have also been deployed on the ground to distribute aid.
The OCD said General Santos Airport remains closed for commercial flights but is operational for humanitarian and relief missions.
The magnitude 7.8 quake struck offshore Maasim, Sarangani at 7:37 a.m. on June 8 and was felt at Intensity VII in General Santos City. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has since recorded nearly 4,000 aftershocks.
