Marcos on Davao Oriental earthquake: We are ensuring everyone is safe

LIVE UPDATES: Davao Oriental earthquake (Oct. 10, 2025) 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the government is ensuring the safety of everyone following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake in offshore Manay, Davao Oriental on Friday morning.

“We are now assessing the situation on the ground and ensuring that everyone is safe,” Marcos said.

“We are working round the clock to ensure that help reaches everyone who needs it. Let us continue to look out for one another and pray for the safety of all our countrymen,” he added.

Marcos said he has instructed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Armed Forces Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (CPG), and all concerned agencies to immediately carry out evacuations in coastal areas.

These agencies are also directed to activate emergency communication lines and coordinate closely with local governments, according to Marcos.

“Search, rescue, and relief operations are already being prepared and will be deployed as soon as it is safe to do so,” he said.

“The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is pre-positioning food and non-food items, while the Department of Health is ready to provide emergency medical assistance,” he added.

Troops deployed

AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said that some troops have been deployed in the affected areas for their possible assistance in rescue operations. 

“Nagbigay po ng utos ang ating pangulo si President Marcos Jr. na tulungan po namin ang ating mga kababayan na maaring naapektuhan nitong lindol sa sa Davao region,” he told reporters in an interview.

(Our President Marcos Jr. has ordered us to help our countrymen who may have been affected by this earthquake in the Davao region.)

“So right away ay nag-deploy na po iyong ating mga tropa. First of all, they're ready to do rescue and retrieval operations but also they are there to assist iyong ating OCD in the assessment of the damage that was caused by the earthquake,” he added.

(So right away our troops have been deployed. First of all, they're ready to do rescue and retrieval operations but also they are there to assist our OCD in the assessment of the damage that was caused by the earthquake.)

OCD officer-in-charge Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the agency’s regional director is currently doing an aerial assessment with some AFP personnel for assessment.

“We would like to assure the public that as many as 100, 000 family food packs are ready in Davao City for distribution and augmentation to the different local government units, to include the 5, 000 ready-to-eat meals or food boxes from our DSWD,” Alejandro said in a video statement.

'Follow instructions'

Marcos advised concerned residents to move to higher ground and stay away from the shore until authorities declare it safe.

“Follow all instructions from your local disaster councils and barangay officials. Your safety is our top priority,” he said.

“To our kababayans in the affected regions, please stay alert and calm,” he added.

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake rocked offshore Manay at 9:43 a.m. on Friday. Intensity V was felt in Davao City while Intensity IV was felt in Bislig City in Surigao del Sur.

A tsunami warning has been raised over seven areas.

According to PHIVOLCS, the people in the coastal areas of the following provinces are “strongly advised to immediately evacuate” to higher grounds or move farther inland:

• Eastern Samar
• Dinagat Islands
• Davao Oriental
• Southern Leyte
• Surigao Del Norte
• Leyte
• Surigao Del Sur

PHIVOLCS said “destructive tsunami is expected with life threatening wave heights.” —VAL, GMA Integrated News