Powerful Earthquake Hits Southern Philippines: Davao City Trembles

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Friday morning, shaking Davao City and surrounding areas. A video circulating online shows university students reacting in panic—covering their heads under plastic chairs and fleeing as tremors rattled the classroom.

At the Tagum City Davao Regional Medical Centre, patients and staff evacuated amid chaos. Some clung to trees for support, while children and those in wheelchairs were guided to safety. Others waited on the roadside as aftershocks continued.

Epicenter and Tsunami Warnings

• The earthquake struck around 9:30 am local time, with the epicenter 20 km below the ground near Manay town, Davao Oriental.
• The Philippine Trench, an offshore fault line, was responsible for the quake.
• The US Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for waves up to 3 meters along six nearby coastal provinces, with smaller waves possible in Indonesia and Palau.
• Later, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that the immediate threat had passed. Small tsunami waves (3.5–17 cm) were detected in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Casualties and Damage

• At least six people have died following the initial quake, with a second magnitude 6.9 earthquake striking the same region later in the day.
• Buildings were reported damaged, and aftershocks remain a concern.

Rescue and Relief Efforts

• President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. deployed search and rescue teams and urged citizens to follow local disaster authority instructions.

• The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Health (DOH) are providing aid, medical care, and psychological support for affected communities.

Why the Philippines is Prone to Earthquakes

• The country lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates constantly interact.

• According to John Dale B Dianala of the University of the Philippines, earthquakes are caused by stress release along fault lines, and vertical movement of the seafloor can trigger tsunamis.

• The Philippines experiences about 800 earthquakes annually, and disasters often overlap, straining resources.

Preparedness and Lessons Learned

• Since the 1990s, the Philippines has strengthened earthquake resilience through revised building codes and disaster response systems.

• While alerts and protocols exist, adherence and rapid government response remain challenges, prompting calls for increased disaster preparedness funding.

Key Takeaways:

• Residents in earthquake-prone areas should know evacuation routes, have emergency kits, and follow official alerts.

• Coastal communities must be aware of tsunami risks even after the shaking stops.

• National preparedness, stricter enforcement of building codes, and public awareness remain crucial in reducing casualties and infrastructure damage.

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