DAVAO CITY (October 10) — A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Manay, Davao Oriental at 9:43 a.m. Friday, October 10, shaking large parts of Mindanao, triggering tsunami warnings, and forcing thousands of residents to flee coastal communities. At least two people were confirmed dead and several others injured as authorities scrambled to assess the full extent of the damage.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the offshore quake’s epicenter was located 33 kilometers southeast of Manay, with a depth of 35 kilometers.
More than 100 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial tremor, some felt as far as Davao City, Caraga, and parts of Northern Mindanao. Tsunami warnings were raised minutes after the quake, prompting immediate coastal evacuations.
Local disaster units reported widespread damage across Davao Oriental. In Manay, parts of the municipal fire station were damaged, while cracks were seen in the municipal hall and several schools.
“We have ordered the preemptive evacuation of all coastal barangays. Some 3,000 individuals are now in designated upland evacuation sites,” said Engr. Rodolfo Generalao, chief of the Manay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
In Mati, the Mati City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office evacuated at least 250 patients from the provincial hospital after cracks were found in load-bearing sections of the building. “Our priority is safety. The patients were immediately transferred to the gymnasium and temporary tents,” said Charlie Bagasol, Mati CDRRMO head.
In Baganga, MDRRMO chief Lt. Col. (Ret.) Ernesto Ubalde reported structural damage to its isolation facility in Barangay Ban-ao and landslides that briefly cut off access to interior barangays.
As of 2:00 p.m., the Davao Oriental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office estimated at least 12,000 individuals displaced across 38 evacuation centers provincewide. Power interruptions were reported in parts of Manay, Baganga, and Governor Generoso, while telecommunications remained intermittent in some areas.
In Davao City, PHIVOLCS recorded a magnitude 6.7 intensity. Minor structural cracks were observed in several downtown buildings, though no major casualties were reported. Classes and work were suspended pending infrastructure inspections.
The Office of Civil Defense – Davao Region has activated its regional response cluster to support local governments.
“We are coordinating closely with LGUs for rapid damage assessment, relief delivery, and search-and-rescue where needed,” said Director Ednar Dayanghirang, OCD XI regional director.
The Philippine Coast Guard has also deployed personnel to monitor coastal areas, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development pre-positioned food packs and emergency supplies.
As of press time, the tsunami advisory remains in effect for parts of Davao Oriental and Davao City. Residents are urged to stay in evacuation sites until the all-clear signal is issued by PHIVOLCS. Aftershocks are expected to continue throughout the day.
