The death toll from the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Mindanao on Monday has climbed to 35, with over 100 individuals reported injured. According to the Office of Civil Defense, most of the fatalities were caused by landslides and structural collapses in General Santos City and Sarangani Province, with additional victims confirmed in Davao del Sur. Search and rescue operations are currently underway as authorities work to locate those still trapped under debris.

Experts have noted that the intensity of Monday’s tremor surpassed the national building code’s safety threshold of 7.0, leading seismologists to officially categorize the event as "destructive." In response, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has suspended all government operations and classes in the impacted regions until further notice. While the president has authorized the release of emergency relief funds, his office stated he will delay visiting the area to ensure that first responders can focus entirely on rescue efforts without distraction.