Their homes reduced to rubble, North Cotabato folk appeal for help

Some residents described the magnitude-6.3 earthquake that struck Makilala town in North Cotabato as similiar to a bomb that fell on their homes.

"Tumaas ang dugo ko sir, kasi may sakit ako. Tapos nung nakita ko ang bahay na... na wala na. Umiyak ako sir, kasi mahirap na nga ang buhay namin, ganito pa nangayari sa amin," Lorna Labrador, resident of Barangay Luayon, said.

According to a report by Emil Sumangil on GMA News' 24 Oras on Friday, a bomb had seemingly fallen on Labrador's house due to the its state following the temblor.

"Nanawagan ako sa pamahalaan na matulungan kami kahit sa materyales lang. Para maisaayos yung bahay namin, kasi wala na kaming bahay," resident Susan Pilapil said.

"Dito lang kami natulog, tapos hindi namin alam kung ano ang aming gagawin," she added, gesturing around her ruined house.

Other residents, meanwhile, can only feel thankful that their loved ones were safe after the earthquake.

A grandmother who had fainted and woke up to a wall-less house was at least thankful that her grandchildren were safe.

Pilapil's grandson were almost buried under the rubble but was quickly rescued by witnesses.

"Sabi ko Lord, maawa ka naman sa amin, tama na! Akala ko patay na ang apo ko... Hugutin mo, hugutin mo! Palabas, paglabas nila, ang mukha niya namuti na. Sumisigaw ako, ginaparos ko siya, inaalog-alog ko," Pilapil said.

Others, however, were not so lucky and did not escape unscathed.

Married couple Reylante and Ruby Pepito were crushed under a post while trying to help their son who was then doing his homework.

"Tinulungan niya, para mag study sila, mama niya, papa niya, tapos bigla lang lumindol, hinawakan ang bata niya [...] bago sila makalabas naipit na ang paa niya," Prosesa Pipito, the victim's mother, said.

Both of the couple are in the hospital. However, they don't have any medicine or budget for the needed fees.

Even schools and churches were destroyed by the earthquake.

"Malakas talaga ito, maraming nagsasabi rito na simula pagkabata, ito ang malakas talaga. Malawak talaga ang pinsala nito," Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Chief Sonny Fontanilla said.

As of Friday, the recorded injuries in Makilala had reached 24 people while there are at least 60 residents in evacuation center.

Classes will begin again on Monday as the damage assessment continues.

Makilala was placed under a state of calamity on Thursday, and officials are expecting approximately P5 million for its rehabilitation, relief, and rescue operations. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News