Devastation Mounts in Southern Philippines: Quake Death Toll Reaches 37

The ceiling of General Santos International Airport in the Philippines partially collapsed, exposing structural framing and scattering debris across the passenger waiting area after a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake on June 8, 2026.

Devastation Mounts in Southern Philippines: Quake Death Toll Reaches 37

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | June 9, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The catastrophic 7.8-magnitude earthquake that ravaged the Mindanao coast has claimed at least 37 lives and plunged communities into a desperate struggle for survival and recovery.

As of Tuesday, June 9, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) confirms four fatalities in Region XI (Davao) and 33 across Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN), with the grim tally expected to rise.

The powerful tremor, identified by PHIVOLCS as the strongest to strike the Philippines this year, hit at 7:37 a.m. on Monday, June 8. Its epicenter, located 32 kilometers southwest of Maasim, Sarangani province, unleashed widespread destruction, particularly in General Santos City.

Here, search and rescue operations are intensely focused, as at least four individuals remain missing amid the rubble of collapsed and severely damaged structures.

Among the significant losses is a four-story commercial building that partially disintegrated, silencing the provincial broadcasts of 101.5 Love Radio and 94.3 DZRH News FM. The incident underscores the immediate and far-reaching impact of the quake on vital infrastructure and communication networks.

Airport Shuts Down, Relief Efforts Prioritized

The General Santos International Airport (GES) suffered significant damage, prompting an immediate closure to commercial flights. Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez, alongside other Department of Transportation (DOTr) officials, personally inspected the structural integrity of the facility.

While commercial air travel remains suspended, the airport is strategically open for government and humanitarian flights, ensuring a critical lifeline for ongoing relief operations.

This closure has led to a massive disruption in air travel, with a staggering 63 flights canceled across major carriers.

Airlines Respond to Crisis, Passengers Stranded

Cebu Pacific (CEB) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) have issued urgent advisories detailing extensive flight cancellations impacting thousands of passengers.

Cebu Pacific Advisory (as of June 8, 2026; 7:00 PM)

Cebu Pacific has canceled all flights to and from General Santos on June 9 and 10, including routes from Cebu and multiple services from Manila and Iloilo. Affected passengers have been notified via email and provided with three options:  

• Free Rebooking: Within 30 days of the original flight date without fare difference.  
• Travel Fund: Credit stored in a virtual CEB wallet for future bookings or add-ons.  
• Full Refund: Without penalties.  

Passengers are urged to monitor flight statuses and update contact details via the CEB website for real-time notifications.

Philippine Airlines Advisory (as of June 8, 2026, 7 PM)

PAL has also canceled all General Santos flights (PR 453/454, PR 2455/2456, PR 2339/2340, PR 2357/2358) from Manila and Cebu for June 9-11. Prioritizing safety, PAL offers affected passengers:  

Free Rebooking or Rerouting

To Davao (DVO) within 60 days, subject to availability. 

• Travel Credits: Conversion of ticket value.  
• Full Refund: Without penalties.  

PAL emphasizes its commitment to safety and urges passengers to check official communication channels for updates and assistance.

As the region grapples with the aftermath of this devastating earthquake, the focus remains on search and rescue, providing aid to the displaced, and restoring vital services.

The long road to recovery has just begun for General Santos and the wider affected areas, with the human cost of this natural disaster continuing to unfold.

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