A strong earthquake struck the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines on Thursday. In reaction, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. mobilized emergency agencies to assist in rescue and relief efforts, including evacuating those at risk and bringing assistance to victims. The quake was originally measured at 7.2 by the Philippines’ seismology agency, Phivolcs, later adjusting the maximum magnitude upwards to 7.6. It hit at a very shallow depth of around 10 kilometers.
The epicenter of the recent earthquake was approximately 62 kilometers from the town of Manay in the Mindanao region. Many images that have circulated online depict the panic spread amongst residents after the quake, particularly in Davao Oriental. As Governor Edwin Jubahib said, hundreds were frightened for their lives that day. In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, officials sounded the alarm with a tsunami warning. This tsunami alert impacted all coastal areas within a 300-kilometer radius of the epicenter.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu has alarm bells ringing. Waves up to three meters may crash ashore on some coastlines of the Philippines closest to the epicenter. Camiguin, according to a governor’s declared emergency. Authorities are reporting worrying residents in coastal areas of seven provinces to prepare for imminent action. Evacuate immediately to higher ground or move inland.
In response, President Marcos activated two emergency communication numbers. In addition to placing a state of emergency declaration, he ordered the armed forces and coast guard to help evacuate people. And most importantly, he focused on the need to make it safe for everyone impacted by the devastating earthquake.
“We are now assessing the situation on the ground and ensuring that everyone is safe. … Search, rescue, and relief operations are already being prepared and will be deployed as soon as it is safe to do so.” – Ferdinand Marcos
Damage is just beginning to be reported. Governor Jubahib has assured us that no schools and essential facilities were damaged in the quake. The first quake rattled the entire state, with many more aftershocks occurring within the next 30 minutes. Among these aftershocks were a remarkable 5.9 and 5.6 in magnitude. The Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology urged Filipinos to be on the lookout for more aftershocks and damage.
This earthquake occurs only two weeks after the Philippines experienced its deadliest earthquake in more than a decade. That calamity resulted in at least 72 fatalities on the island of Cebu. The latest round of shaking has people who live and work there, from the city of Austin to the Texas legislature, clamoring.
At the start of this pandemic, President Marcos called upon our nation to work together. As he says, standing together is how we’re going to beat this crisis together.
“Let us continue to look out for one another and pray for the safety of all our countrymen.” – Ferdinand Marcos
As preparations for rescue and relief operations continue, local authorities are working tirelessly to ensure that all affected individuals receive the assistance they require. Emergency response and critical public safety teams are being further mobilized, and community communication efforts are being increased to provide timely updates to impacted residents.