Aftershocks from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Sarangani on June 8, 2026 may persist, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

Residents of Barangay Lagao in General Santos City rushed out of their homes after feeling Intensity IV shaking in the city when a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental on Monday, June 15.

People inside a mall and nearby establishments ran toward the highway after the tremor.

“Kahit na yung katabing fault o katabing probinsya pong merong malakas na lindol, meron pa rin pong mararamdaman sa mga location natin,” PHIVOLCS Science Research Specialist, Engr. Margarita Dizon, said.

In the evening, residents were awakened by another strong tremor. PHIVOLCS reported it as a magnitude 5.8 quake – an aftershock of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake recorded on June 8.

PHIVOLCS explained that because of the strength of the magnitude 7.8 quake, aftershocks of magnitude 5 or 6 are still possible.

“For the first two weeks marami pong mararamdamang aftershocks. But for the record medyo bumaba naman sya. Since magnitude 7.8, kaya pa po niyang mga magbigay ng magnitude 6 na aftershocks or magmitude 5 na aftershocks,” Dizon added.

PHIVOLCS already recorded more than 6,000 aftershocks as of 11 a.m. on Monday, June 15.

One of the structures that was damage by the earthquake last week was part of the General Santos City Public Market.

Several stalls in the middle section have been closed and marked with a red notice, declaring them unsafe for occupancy.

The Meat Vendors Cooperative rented a large tent outside the market to continue selling.

“Since mas safe dito, pinili namin na dito kami temporarily na magtinda. Dahil close ang mall okay naman, at yung iba naman ay takot talagang pumasok at kahit kami takot ding pumasok. With all the aftershocks, malakas lakas din ang aftershocks eh,” a vendor, Sweet Morales, said.

Vendors were already allowed to return to their stalls, but others decided to stay outside because of the trauma.

Other businesses, particularly those in the fish section, have remained inside the market.

“Takot parin pero kailangan magnegosyo. Makasurvive lang kami sa pang-araw-araw kahit wala ng ginansya ‘yung pangkain nalang naming,” another vendor, Anna Marie Orcullo, said.

Meanwhile, power supply in General Santos City has returned to normal.

Of the seven towns in Sarangani, only Glan still has barangays without electricity.

“All the 25 contingents of the Task Force Kapatid are all deployed on the area of Glan. Hindi po sila uuwi hanggang hindi po 100 percent ang Glan,” National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator, Atty. Antonio Mariano Almeda, said.

Once they have access to the area, it will take only 48 to 72 hours to restore electricity, including repairs to damaged power poles.