Earthquakes

7.8 Quake Hits Philippines, Triggers Tsunami Warning

Is the Philippines dangerously unprepared for earthquakes or did the government's swift response prove the system works?

JUN 8·Updated JUN 10

7.8 Quake Hits Philippines, Triggers Tsunami Warning

Story

Above: Police gather in front of a collapsed Jollibee fast food restaurant after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in General Santos City on June 8, 2026. Image credit: Edwin Espejo/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

At least 35 people have died and 134 were injured after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani province in the southern Philippines on Monday. The U.S. Geological Survey placed its epicenter about 24 kilometers west of Mindanao island at a depth of 35 kilometers.
Bangkok Post
VnExpress International
BBC News
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded Instrumental Intensity VIII in Malapatan, Sarangani, and the quake disrupted internet, electricity and water services across parts of Mindanao. The Department of Health activated crisis protocols in all its hospitals and health development offices in the region.
INQUIRER.net
RAPPLER
TravelGov on X
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that waves of up to 3 meters were possible on some Philippine coasts, while tsunami waves were recorded in Palau, Davao and Northern Sulawesi, Indonesia. A tsunami advisory for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands was later canceled.
NDTV
BBC News
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended school classes in affected areas of Mindanao and urged coastal residents to evacuate immediately, saying, "Move to higher ground now. Do not wait."
Bangkok Post
NDTV
The Department of Social Welfare and Development reported over 1.1 million boxes of family food packs available in Mindanao for affected residents, with 4.7 million food packs prepositioned nationwide as of June 2.
Bangkok Post
Pna
Meanwhile, Indonesia ordered evacuations in the North Sulawesi capital of Manado, northern Gorontalo province and the Sangihe islands, while Malaysia's Meteorological Department issued a tsunami warning for Sabah state on Borneo island.
NDTV
VnExpress International

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

This earthquake highlights the Philippines' extreme vulnerability to natural disasters. The dangerous Philippine Trench continues to threaten millions of lives.

United Nations

Narrative B

Government agencies responded swiftly to the earthquake with comprehensive emergency protocols already in motion. The system worked exactly as designed to protect lives.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Facebook

Editor's Note

This is a developing story. We are reporting details as they become available and will update this story as new information is confirmed. Some early details may change.