7.4 quake strikes Davao Oriental

Marcos orders search, rescue operations

- By BETHEENA UNITE

President Marcos said search, rescue, and relief operations will be deployed immediately after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Davao Oriental and nearby provinces.

Upon the directive of President Marcos, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deployed soldiers to assist in rescue and relief operations, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said.

The powerful earthquake-initially reported as magnitude 7.6 before Phivolcs revised it to 7.5 and then finally to 7.4 in the Richter scale struck Manay, Davao Oriental at 9:43 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs said the quake's epicenter was located 43 kilometers northeast of Manay, Davao Oriental, at a shallow depth of 23 kilometers.

Marcos said they are "now assessing the situation on the ground and ensuring that everyone is safe." The President has directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Armed Forces, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and all concerned agencies to immediately carry out evacuations in coastal areas, activate emergency communication lines, and coordinate closely with local governments.

He further said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWS) is pre-positioning food and non-food items, while the Department of Health (DOH) is ready to provide emergency medical assistance.

Stay alert

Marcos also called on everyone in affected regions to stay alert and move to higher ground as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has issued a tsunami warning for several coastal provinces in Mindanao.

"To our kababayans in the affected regions, please stay alert and calm.