Three towns in Sultan Kudarat have evacuated their residents preemptively following a series of earthquakes that hit the province on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

In an advisory, Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu ordered the preemptive evacuation for residents in Kalamansig, Lebak, and Palimbang towns due to the earthquakes and recurring aftershocks.

“Residents of Kalamansig, Lebak, and Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat are advised to stay alert following recent earthquakes and recurring aftershocks that may pose a tsunami risk in coastal areas,” the advisory said.

Mangudadatu said residents in these areas are advised to move to higher ground or designated evacuation centers if advised by authorities.

The provincial government has already suspended classes in all levels, both public and private, and work in government offices in the towns of Kalamansig, Lebak, and Palimbang until further notice on Wednesday, January 28, except for offices and personnel involved in essential services, disaster response, health services, and emergency operations.

“The Provincial Government assures the public that the situation is being closely monitored and managed with the highest level of readiness. All concerned offices are on heightened alert to safeguard the safety and welfare of our communities,” Mangudadatu said in a Facebook post.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Municipal Engineering Office, and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Palimbang have conducted ocular inspection in various structures and schools to ensure the safety of students.

It can be recalled that hundreds of families have fled their homes after strong earthquakes shook the province since evening on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has recorded a total of 1,646 successive weak to moderate earthquakes in the vicinity of Kalamansig town from 10:52 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28.

Of this number, 507 were plotted with magnitude ranging from 1.1 to 5.9, while 63 were felt and recorded with corresponding intensity levels.

“Hindi sya bag-ong event, kauban siya sa mga linog niadtong January 20 hangtod ron. According sa among director, this is a gradual release of strength along the Cotabato Trench,” PHIVOLCS GenSan Officer-in-Charge, Nane Danlag, said.

(With reports from Rgil Relator and Sarah Hilomen-Velasco, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao)