12/10/2025
𝗦𝗖𝗜-𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧 | 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝟕.𝟒 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐬
At 9:43 AM on October 10, 2025, the waters off Manay, Davao Oriental were struck by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, followed by a magnitude 6.9 aftershock described as "doublet" shortly after. The earthquake had an offshore epicenter located 48 kilometers northeast of Manay and an estimated depth of 23 kilometers, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Seven deaths and 300 injured people were reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) following the devastating disaster that affected several cities in Davao Oriental. PHIVOLCS issued a tsunami warning at 10:20 AM after tsunami waves were recorded along the eastern coastline of Tandag City, with heights reaching approximately 30 centimeters. The warning was lifted four hours later, at 1:43 PM.
As of 8:00 AM, October 11, 2025, a total of 808 aftershocks had been reported, with magnitudes ranging from 4.0 to 6.8. The earthquake was not only felt in Davao Oriental but also in several regions of the Visayas, such as Samar, Leyte, and Cebu, where fortunately no deaths or injuries were reported.
Previous earthquakes occurred before the magnitude 7.4 quake. On October 9, 2025, at 10:30 AM, a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck Pugo, La Union, and on September 30, 2025, at 9:59 PM, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit Bogo, Cebu, causing 79 deaths. However, according to the PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, these earthquakes were not connected to one another, as the Philippines has 180 active faults and six trenches, making it possible for one or two active faults to generate earthquakes simultaneously.
The earthquake continues to shock the Philippines—affecting Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. PHIVOLCS has warned Filipino citizens to prepare for possible aftershocks and the potential occurrence of "The Big One" sooner or later.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Davao Oriental recorded the highest intensity based on the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS). However, according to Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, the magnitude 6.9 quake in Cebu was far more destructive than the magnitude 7.4 quake in Davao Oriental, as it had a depth of only 5 kilometers compared to Davao Oriental’s 23 kilometers. “Yung seismic energy kasi, as it travels from the source sa ilalim ng lupa, aakyat. Habang umaakyat ‘yan, humihina ‘yung lakas. So if it’s 23 kilometers, pagdating niya sa ibabaw ay medyo hindi na siya gano’n kalakas. If it’s five kilometers lamang ‘yung tinakbo niya pataas, mas malakas pa rin ‘yung seismic energy pagdating sa ibabaw,” he said.
The frequent tremors in the Philippines are hardly surprising, as the country’s geographical location lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for intense seismic and volcanic activity caused by the movement of tectonic plates.
PHIVOLCS continues to monitor possible aftershocks and future earthquakes. Other institutions, such as the United Nations and PHIVOLCS, continue to enhance early warning systems to ensure that people are informed and prepared. Authorities have also urged the public to stay alert and vigilant for potential disasters.
As the Philippines continues to face the reality of being part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, let us unite in building a culture of preparedness and awareness. Your life matters. We should not be complacent in thinking that nothing can break us; instead, let us stand together, hold hands, and hope that no disaster can bring us down. Stay calm, stay ready—resilience begins with awareness.
✒️: Kyna Samson
💻: Jarred Axibal
