Powerful 7.8-Magnitude Quake Jolts Sarangani, Davao Occidental
PHIVOLCS shows location of 1:45 pm aftershock in Maasim, Sarangani, Davao Occidental
By: Nonnette C. Bennett
Maasim, Sarangani, Davao Occidental — A devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Maasim town at 7:37 a.m. on June 8, 2026, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). Residents reported the tremor lasted about 45 seconds, shaking homes and infrastructure across the region.
By 1:50 p.m., PHIVOLCS had recorded 93 aftershocks, the strongest at 6.7 magnitude at 8:55 a.m. Seven others ranged between 4.0 and 4.6 magnitude within six hours, underscoring the quake’s intensity.
This temblor surpasses the 1990 Luzon earthquake that devastated Baguio City with a 7.7 magnitude, claiming an estimated 1,000 lives.
Tsunami Warning Issued
PHIVOLCS urged residents in coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground in Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also alerted nearby countries, warning of possible waves “within the next three hours” along the coasts of the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan, and Papua New Guinea.
Casualties and Damage
As of press time, three deaths have been confirmed in different areas, with numerous buildings collapsing due to the quake. The Davao Region’s population of 5.39 million faces potential widespread impact from the disaster.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with emergency response teams mobilized to assess damage, assist survivors, and prepare for possible tsunami effects.
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