Three people were reported dead and four others injured after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Mindanao, according to the Police Regional Office 12.
Police said all four injured individuals were civilians. Initial reports also recorded one landslide in the affected area.
Authorities reported damage to several structures, including two schools, two hospitals, 14 commercial establishments and two residential houses.
In response, the Philippine National Police deployed 390 search and rescue personnel and 23 mobile units to support emergency operations. An additional 100 personnel were assigned to secure vital installations, while 150 personnel remained on standby for possible deployment.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the earthquake had its greatest impact on Regions 12, 11 and 9, as well as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Evacuations in coastal communities remained ongoing as authorities continued to monitor potential hazards and assess the extent of the disaster.
The OCD also reported widespread infrastructure damage in several areas. Power and communication services were disrupted in some locations following the earthquake.
Government response operations were elevated to full Red Alert status. The Operations Center, National Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell and various government response clusters were placed on heightened alert to facilitate coordination and emergency actions.
Authorities said close coordination was being maintained with local disaster risk reduction and management offices to ensure a unified response.
Following directives from the President and the Department of National Defense, officials from the Department of National Defense and the Office of Civil Defense were scheduled to visit affected areas for situational assessments and immediate response operations.
Damage validation, rescue activities and relief efforts were continuing as authorities gathered additional information from affected communities.
