A powerful offshore earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck southern Philippines at 7:37 a.m. local time on Monday, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 200. The tremor’s epicenter lay 33 km beneath the sea, about 32 km southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani province, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

General Santos suffers building collapses and airport shutdown

General Santos, a key tuna‑export hub of over 700,000 residents, saw several small structures crumble, including a popular hamburger shop and a two‑story school where students were trapped. Regional Civil Defense dirrector Rod Sosmeña said the shaking felt "very strong," prompting people to flee into the streets. The city’s international airport closed temporarily, cancelling 17 domestic flights and leaving tricycle taxis damaged by falling debris.

Casualties spread across Sarangani, South Cotabato and Davao Occidental

Beyond General Santos, the quake triggered landslides and building failures in Sarangani, South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and on Balut Island, accounting for most of the 19 confirmed deaths. officials reported that a damaged mosque and a landslide were among the deadliest incidents. at least 12 people remain missing in General Santos, and rescue teams from the Bureau of Fire are combing through a damaged warehouse and a collapsed building.

Tsunami warning lifted after five hours of 1‑metre waves

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued alerts for the region, but waves reached only about one metre (three feet) before the threat subsided. The warning was lifted by mid‑afternoon after roughly five hours of monitoring, though larger waves were reported locally in some coastal villages.

President Marcos orders schools closed and disaster response mobilised

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the immediate cancellation of classes nationwide and directed disaster‑response agencies to focus on the quake‑hit provinces, pledging that the government "will not leave Mindanao behind." The directive came as aftershocks were expected, and officials urged residents to avoid re‑entering damaged structures without professional clearrance.

Who will lead the long‑term recovery in Mindanao?

While the national government has mobilised emergency teams, the extent of rebuilding needed in General Santos and surrounding provinces remains unclear. Questions linger about funding for displaced families, the timeline for restoring the tuna export supply chain, and how quickly schools can safely reopen. The U.S. Geological Survey listed the quake’s depth at 55 km, a factor that may influence aftershock patterns, but precise forecasts are still pending.