Death toll rises to eight as over 10,000 aftershocks recorded following powerful earthquakes in southern Philippines

The death toll from the powerful earthquakes that struck the southern Philippines continues to rise, with at least eight people confirmed dead and thousands displaced, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Saturday, October 11.

Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro reported that three fatalities were recorded in Davao Oriental, four in Davao de Oro, and one in Davao City, as authorities continue to verify the numbers and assess the full extent of the damage.

The municipality of Manay, Davao Oriental, was identified as the hardest hit area, suffering major structural damage, including to the Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital, where patients had to be evacuated. In Mati City, local hospitals were overwhelmed, forcing medical teams to treat patients outside their facilities.

Officials also reported numerous landslides in Pantukan, Davao de Oro, as rescue and clearing operations continue.

Across the region, the OCD said 276 barangays (villages) were affected, displacing an estimated 122,735 families, or nearly 478,000 individuals. In the wider Region XI (Davao Region), around 267,000 people were impacted, while the Caraga region recorded more than 210,000 affected residents.

At least 18 evacuation centers are now operational, sheltering over 2,500 families, while government agencies and humanitarian groups rush to deliver food, water, and medical assistance.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported a staggering 10,582 aftershocks following a separate magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Cebu late last month. The aftershocks ranged from magnitude 1 to 5.1, with authorities warning residents to stay alert.

The Cebu quake affected over 722,000 individuals across 17 towns and cities, killing at least 74 people and injuring more than 550, according to the NDRRMC’s latest situation report.

In another development, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck Cabangan, Zambales on Saturday afternoon, October 11. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the tremor’s epicenter was located 19 kilometers northeast of Cabangan at a depth of 100 kilometers. The quake was felt across nearby provinces, including Bulacan, Pangasinan, Tarlac, and La Union.

Authorities said no major damage is expected from the Zambales quake, but minor aftershocks remain possible.

The Philippines, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences frequent seismic activity. Officials are urging residents to remain vigilant, particularly in coastal and mountainous areas vulnerable to landslides and tsunamis.

As relief operations continue, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed national agencies to expedite aid distribution and ensure that affected communities receive immediate assistance.

For Filipino Americans in the United States with family in the Davao and Cebu regions, the Philippine Consulate in New York and Los Angeles have set up hotlines to help connect families and provide updates on the ongoing relief and recovery efforts.