COTABATO CITY — A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck offshore Sarangani on Monday morning, disrupting the opening day of classes in parts of Mindanao and prompting local governments to suspend classes and government work as authorities assessed damage and monitored possible tsunami threats.
The earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. and originated at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The agency said the quake’s epicenter was located about 125 kilometers northeast of Sarangani and issued a tsunami warning for several coastal areas in Mindanao.
The tremor prompted students and teachers to evacuate classrooms as schools activated emergency procedures on the first day of the academic year.
In Cotabato City, Mayor Bruce Matabalao ordered the suspension of classes at all levels. Authorities in Kidapawan City also suspended classes and government work while inspections were conducted. Reports from Koronadal City indicated disruptions to electricity, internet and water services following the earthquake.
Students at several schools, including Cotabato City Central Pilot Elementary School, were evacuated as a precaution.
Phivolcs reported Intensity VII in General Santos City and Intensity VI in Palimbang and Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat. Intensity V was recorded in Davao City, Kidapawan City, Carmen in Cotabato Province, Bagumbayan, Kalamansig and President Quirino in Sultan Kudarat, as well as Sibuco and Siocon in Zamboanga del Norte.
The agency advised residents in coastal areas of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato to move to higher ground or farther inland because tsunami waves exceeding one meter above normal tide levels were possible.
Authorities reported damage to some structures, including portions of a shopping mall in General Santos City, while emergency responders continued inspections in affected areas.
No casualties were immediately reported. Phivolcs said aftershocks were expected as monitoring operations continued.
