Philippines earthquake: Death toll now at 69

October 2, 2025

MANILA – At least 69 individuals reportedly died following  a strong earthquake that jolted Cebu Tuesday evening, as authorities intensified its search and rescue efforts in the crucial first 24 hours when survivors trapped in the rubble could still be saved.

The quake damaged several heritage churches, residential houses and schools, while causing widespread power outages in the region.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Assistant Secretary Rafael Alejandro IV said most of the fatalities were in Bogo City—the epicenter of the quake—at 30, followed by 22 in San Remigio town; 10 in Medellin town; five in Tabogon town; and one each in municipalities of Sogod and Tabuelan.

“That’s the number that we have as reported to us as of noon time (which is again for validation and verification),” Alejandro said of the 69 death toll in a message to Inquirer.

At least 147 individuals were injured after the earthquake, Alejandro said, most of whom are in Bogo City at 119, followed by San Francisco town with 14, Tabuelan and Catmon with five each; and four in Daanbantayan.

The high number of casualties is due to the fact that the earthquake happened at night, according to the official.

“In the morning, we are all alert, but at night when everyone is asleep. It takes time for us to react,” he earlier said in a press conference in Quezon City.

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred at 9:59 p.m., with the epicenter located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City with a shallow depth of five kilometers, according to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

‘Golden hour’

With the earthquake occurring less than a day ago as of posting time, Alejandro said the rescuers are scrambling during this “golden hour,” referring to the first 24 hours when likelihood of survivors remains high.

“We’re still in the golden hour when we can still save more lives,” he said, noting that many residents are still reportedly trapped by fallen debris.

The OCD has yet to release the data on missing individuals, and Alejandro said the total number of rescued individuals will be released “within the day.”

Military personnel on board two transport aircraft C-130 and coast guard personnel aboard two of its ships are now on their way to ground zero to augment the search and rescue efforts.

Alejandro also said the OCD alerted neighboring Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia in case the country needs assistance.

But so far, he said local authorities can still manage the rescue operations.

Meanwhile, the entire province of Cebu has been placed under a state of calamity, allowing the provincial government to use quick response funds and also to conduct a 60-day price freeze of basic goods.

‘The Big One’

Alejandro said lessons in this earthquake should be applied when “The Big One” hits the capital region.

“We can never be 100 percent prepared … just really anticipate,” Alejandro said, saying continuous public awareness and preparation are in place for The Big One.

“Events like this [earthquake], for us also, is one way of practice. Can you imagine if it happens in Metro Manila at night?” the official said.

In preparation of this grim event, government schools and offices have been participating in OCD-led earthquake drills in the capital region once every quarter of a year.

The Big One — or a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hitting Metro Manila — would lead to at least 52,000 deaths, and 500,000 injuries, according to the study of risk assessment and consultancy firm PSA Philippines Consultancy Inc. published in 2019.

Sitting on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where tectonic plates often collide, the Philippines experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. /apl /gsg