Davao Oriental quakes death toll rises to 8

President Marcos orders continued rescue, relief ops

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG, BETHEENA UNITE, RAYMUND ANTONIO, AARON RECUENCO, and JEL SANTOS

The death toll from the twin strong earthquakes that struck Davao Oriental and nearby provinces last Oct. 10 has risen to eight, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Sunday, Oct. 12.

President Marcos has instructed all front-line agencies to carry out round-the-clock rescue and relief operations, following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Davao Oriental on Oct. 10.

According to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez, Marcos reminded them that the safety and well-being of residents remain as their top priority.

“The President's paramount concern is the safety and well-being of our people in the earthquake-struck areas,” Gomez said in a statement.

"On the instructions of the President, all concerned frontline agencies were tasked to work round the clock to provide rescue and relief operations," the PCO chief added.

Marcos has also instructed government agencies to provide assistance in all areas affected by the earthquakes.

Death toll

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the fatalities include three in Davao Oriental, four in Davao de Oro, and one in Davao City.

"These reports are still subject to validation and verification but these are the numbers we have at the moment. There are no reported missing persons," Alejandro said.

One fatality was added to the previous death toll of seven which was recorded in Mati City where an individual was crushed by a collapsed wall, Alejandro said. There were 395 persons who were also injured.

The magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes that struck on Oct. 10 and registered their epicenter in Manay, Davao Oriental have already affected 125,283 families of 491,258 individuals in Davao (Region 11) and Caraga (Region 13).