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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider OCD on alert after M6.5 quake shakes Davao Occidental

OCD on alert after M6.5 quake shakes Davao Occidental

Published Jun 27, 2026 10:08 am

At A Glance

  • The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 12 remained on alert after a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck off Balut Island, although no significant damage to infrastructure or power facilities has been reported.
  • The strongest shaking reached Intensity V in Malapatan, Kiamba, and Malungon in Sarangani while authorities continue validating reports with local disaster risk reduction and management offices.
  • Some families remain in tents at evacuation centers in Glan, Sarangani after the June 8 earthquake, while Phivolcs warned that aftershocks remain possible and recorded a magnitude 5.0 aftershock early Saturday.
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake strikes offshore Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental on June 26, 2026. (Courtesy of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology)
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake strikes offshore Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental on June 26, 2026. (Courtesy of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology)
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is now on alert after a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck off Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental even as authorities have yet to receive reports of significant damage to infrastructure and power facilities.
OCD Region 12 Regional Director Rodrigo Sosmeña said the earthquake was felt across parts of Soccsksargen, which covers South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City.
The strongest shaking reached Intensity V in the municipalities of Malapatan, Kiamba, and Malungon in Sarangani province.
“We felt the shaking in our area. Based on our records, the strongest intensity was Intensity V. It was experienced in the municipalities of Malapatan, Kiamba, and Malungon. The other municipalities experienced Intensity IV, including General Santos City and nearby areas,” Sosmeña said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the tectonic earthquake struck at 7:34 p.m. on Friday, June 26. Its epicenter was located about 90 kilometers south-southwest of Balut Island, and had a depth of 10 kilometers.
Despite the strong shaking, Sosmeña said the OCD has not received reports of major damage while field validation continues.
“We have become accustomed to aftershocks. Because of this event, no one has reported damaged structures so far. At this time, the reports we are receiving are only about the earthquake intensity felt in their municipalities,” he said.
The OCD said it continues to coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices to assess the full impact of the earthquake.
Sosmeña said some families remain in evacuation centers in Glan, Sarangani following the magnitude 7.8 quake that struck offshore on June 8, killing at least 81 people.
“There are still a few families staying in evacuation centers, especially in the municipality of Glan,” he said, noting that the displaced families continue to occupy tents because permanent evacuation facilities remain unusable.
“So far, there are no clear reports that they were affected. The materials are very light because they are using tents in the evacuation centers. The concrete evacuation centers can no longer be used so they are staying in family tents,” Sosmeña said.
The OCD-12 said it will continue monitoring the situation as aftershocks remain possible. In fact, a magnitude 5.0 aftershock was reported by Phivolcs at 4:07 a.m. on Saturday offshore Balut Island.
“So far, there are no clear reports that they were affected. The materials are very light because they are using tents in the evacuation centers. The concrete evacuation centers can no longer be used, so they are staying in family tents,” Sosmeña said.

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OCD earthquake Balut Island Davao Occidental
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