Photo credit: PRC

Government disaster officials are validating reports that the death toll from the powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8 may have risen to 45, as rescue and relief efforts continue across the hardest-hit areas.

Speaking in a radio interview on Wednesday, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Deputy Administrator for Administration Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the reported fatalities came from several provinces in Davao Region and Soccsksargen.

According to initial figures, Sarangani recorded 18 deaths, followed by South Cotabato with 15, Davao Occidental with 11, and Davao del Sur with one. However, Alejandro emphasized that all numbers remain subject to verification and could still change as assessments continue.

Authorities are also validating reports of 17 missing individuals, including 13 from Davao Occidental and four from General Santos City.

Meanwhile, the number of injured residents has climbed to 630 based on preliminary reports.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the earthquake has so far affected 33,596 families, equivalent to 149,372 individuals, across 184 barangays in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Thousands of displaced residents remain in evacuation centers. Government data showed that 8,813 families, or 32,464 individuals, are currently staying in 57 evacuation centers, while another 1,804 families or 8,973 people are receiving assistance outside evacuation facilities. Many others have sought temporary shelter with relatives and friends.

The earthquake also left significant damage to homes and infrastructure. Authorities reported that 2,994 houses were affected, including 2,499 classified as partially damaged and 495 declared totally destroyed across several provinces in Mindanao.

As search and rescue operations continue, the Philippine Army has expanded its humanitarian and disaster response efforts in affected communities.

An Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team composed of 18 personnel was deployed to General Santos City, one of the areas that sustained extensive infrastructure damage.

Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the 10th Infantry Division has mobilized around 200 personnel to assist in rescue, clearing, and relief operations. These include members of the 10th Emergency Response Company, Task Force Gensan, the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, and the 28th Infantry Battalion.

The 6th Infantry Division has also sent 53 personnel from various humanitarian assistance and disaster relief teams to General Santos City, as well as the municipalities of Maitum, Kiamba, and Maasim in Sarangani, and Lebak in Sultan Kudarat.

To support ongoing operations, military units have deployed trucks, patrol vehicles, and motorcycles across quake-hit areas, while hundreds of additional responders remain on standby for possible deployment.

“The Philippine Army is closely coordinating with national government agencies and local government units to ensure a swift and organized response to the devastating earthquake and its continuing aftershocks,” Dema-ala said.

With rescue teams still searching for missing persons and authorities continuing to validate casualty reports, officials warned that the impact of the disaster may become clearer in the coming days as assessments reach more affected communities.