Survivors, families mourn losses after Mindanao's magnitude 7.8 earthquake

Several days after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8, residents in General Santos City and nearby areas are still reeling from the destruction, loss of life, and continuing aftershocks.

The earthquake, traced by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to movement along the Cotabato Trench, caused damage to buildings, roads, bridges, and homes across parts of SOCCSKSARGEN and neighboring provinces.

According to the figures, at least 60 people were killed while more than 30 remain missing.

Among the damaged structures were the General Santos International Airport, commercial establishments in General Santos City, and infrastructure in Sarangani and Davao Occidental.

PHIVOLCS said the Cotabato Trench is one of the country's most active seismic zones and was also responsible for a major earthquake in 1976, although from a different segment.

Grocery collapse leaves workers trapped

One of the deadliest incidents in General Santos City involved a collapsed grocery store where several workers were trapped.

Jessica Soho personally visited the "disaster zone" in General Santos City.

On Sunday's "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," Jheffy, an employee who managed to escape, said workers near the exit immediately ran when the shaking started.

"Sobrang lakas po talaga nu'ng lindol. Hindi namin na akalain na may naiwan pa," he said.

["The earthquake was really so strong. We didn't expect that anyone was left behind."]

As of June 10, authorities reported that four people had been trapped in the building. One survived, two were recovered dead, and one remained missing at the time.

Another survivor, Jaymar, recalled being trapped under debris for around 40 minutes before rescuers reached him.

"Ang nasa isip ko, dapat mabuhay pa talaga ako Ma'am," he said.

["My only thought was that I really had to survive, Ma'am."]

Families wait for loved ones

Outside the collapsed grocery, relatives waited anxiously for updates on those still missing.

Among them was Morphy, whose sister Baby Lynn, a grocery manager from Cotabato City, had gone to General Santos City for inventory work. According to the family, she had already gone outside during the earthquake but returned to help those trapped inside.

"Sana po, agaran na po makita 'yung kapatid namin. Eh, simula nu'ng nangyari, tatlong araw na ngayon. Wala pa rin resulta, hindi pa rin siya nakita. Sana po, buhay pa po siya," Morphy said while rescue operations were ongoing.

["I hope my sister is found immediately. It's already been three days since it happened, and there's still no sign of her. We haven't found her yet. I really hope she's still alive."]

Authorities later recovered Baby Lynn's body from the rubble.

Another victim, grocery merchandiser Joey, was also found dead after days of waiting. His mother, Dioslinda, said she had already accepted the possibility that her son had not survived.

"Ang gusto ko ngayon, ngayong araw makita na ang anak ko, buhay o ano ba, tanggap na namin," she said before his body was recovered.

["What I want right now is to find my child. Alive or otherwise, we have already accepted it."]

Rescue efforts continue

Search and retrieval operations involve multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and trained rescue dogs.

A BFP official said the agency had been placed on red alert status and deployed personnel throughout Region 12.

Rescuers also used a human-remains detection dog named Hana to help locate victims inside the rubble.

Meanwhile, a man initially mistaken online for a looter turned out to be among those who helped save lives during the disaster.

Ramon, a Philippine Army reservist, said he rushed to a collapsed commercial building after hearing calls for help.

"Tinulungan namin na gibain 'yung pinto kaya nakalabas 'yung matanda na babae," he said, adding that two people were rescued from the structure.

["We helped force the door open to get the elderly woman out."]

The BFP later reported that no fatalities were recorded in that particular building, although some people sustained minor injuries.

Teachers protect students during first day of classes

The earthquake struck on the morning of the first day of classes while students and teachers were gathered for activities before entering their classrooms.

A viral video from Dadiangas West Central Elementary School showed students, parents, and teachers reacting as the shaking began.

Teacher Nica said school earthquake drills helped guide their response.

"Kailangan po namin unahin 'yung kapakanan ng mga bata po. So 'yun po, duck, cover and hold, and yung body po namin mismo ang aming pinang cover po sa mga bata," she said.

["We had to prioritize the safety of the children. So, we did 'duck, cover, and hold,' and we used our own bodies to cover and shield the kids."]

She added that despite having her own child on campus, she prioritized the safety of her 44 students.

Residents face damaged homes and continuing aftershocks

Thousands of aftershocks have been recorded since the earthquake, leaving many residents fearful.

Some neighborhoods in General Santos City reported large ground cracks and severe damage to houses.

Paul, whose home was among those heavily affected, said the floor and foundation of their house had been torn apart.

"Kailangan mag-move forward kasi mahirap naman kapag malugmok lang kami dito, kailangan namin mag-isip ng paraan," he said.

["We have to move forward because nothing will happen if we just stay down and give up, we need to find a way."]

He added that the house was no longer safe to live in.

A structural engineer said earthquake damage can vary depending on factors such as proximity to the epicenter, building age, construction quality, and local ground conditions.

PHIVOLCS, however, said the offshore fault that generated the earthquake was not directly responsible for the localized destruction seen in some residential areas. The agency said engineers would need to investigate other factors, including construction quality and soil conditions.

Hard-hit communities in Sarangani

In Sarangani province, where the earthquake's epicenter was located, access to some communities was cut off for several days due to damaged roads and bridges.

The municipality of Glan recorded 12 deaths, some of them caused by landslides.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) conducted clearing operations to reopen damaged roads.

Some residents said they were struggling to obtain food, water, and other necessities because transportation routes remained inaccessible.

At an evacuation center in Glan, displaced residents appealed for assistance to rebuild damaged homes and support families who had lost their livelihoods.

Among the victims in Glan were 15-year-old Ayesha and her mother Mary Joy.

Relatives said Ayesha tried to protect her mother when part of their home collapsed. Both were brought to a hospital, and died later.

Other families also mourn lost loved ones after walls and concrete structures collapsed during the earthquake.

Some residents face additional hardship after the disaster. Richel said her house and small store were later destroyed by fire.

PHIVOLCS urges preparedness

Following the deadly quake, PHIVOLCS reminded the public about earthquake preparedness, including the importance of complying with building standards.

PHIVOLCS Geologist Winchelle Ian Sevilla said structures built according to the building code are designed to withstand strong earthquakes.

"Kung susundin natin 'yung building code kaya nitong mag-withstand sa isang intensity 8 na lindol," he said.

["If we follow the building code, it can withstand an intensity 8 earthquake."]

For those who want to help Joey Deluvio and his family, please deposit to:

GCASH

ACCOUNT NAME: DIOSLINDA DELUVIO
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0931 976 8991

For those who want to help Babylyn Angcad and her family, please deposit to:

GCASH
ACCOUNT NAME: MORPHY ANGCAD
ACCOUNT NUMBER: (0953) 342 9089

BANK ACCOUNT: LANDBANK
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 247 6407 737

For those who want to help Maryjoy, Ayesha and their family, please deposit to:

BANK: BDO
ACCOUNT NAME: REGINE CABEJE
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0405 6008 8590

Here are the government agency hotlines to seek help during an earthquake:

Philippine National Emergency Hotline
911

NDRRMC Hotlines
(02) 8911-5061 to 65 local 100
(02) 8911-1406

Red Cross National Hotlines
143
(02) 8527-8385 to 95

Philippine National Police
117
(02) 8426 0650

—JCB, GMA News