The Philippine Army has sustained its search and rescue operations across quake-affected areas in Mindanao, deploying at least 253 personnel on the ground as of June 10, 2026, following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the region two days earlier on June 8, 2026.
According to a statement released by Colonel Louie G. Dema-ala, Chief Public Affairs of the Philippine Army, an 18-member Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team is conducting Search, Rescue and Retrieval (SRR) operations at a collapsed supermarket in Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City, where persons remain reported missing.
A total of 607 additional Army personnel are currently on stand-by alert, ready to be deployed as operations expand or as new distress calls emerge from affected communities across the region.
18-Member USAR Team Works Through Collapsed Supermarket in General Santos
The Army's Urban Search and Rescue team began operations at the collapsed commercial structure in Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City on June 10, 2026. The supermarket collapse is one of the most critical incidents arising from the powerful earthquake, with residents reported missing beneath the debris.
USAR teams are specially trained to conduct search and retrieval operations in structurally compromised buildings, using technical equipment and rescue protocols designed to locate and extract survivors or retrieve remains from collapsed structures. The June 10 operations mark a continuation of efforts that began in the immediate aftermath of the June 8 quake.
General Santos City, located in the Soccsksargen region of Mindanao, is among the urban centers that sustained significant structural damage following the magnitude 7.8 seismic event, which is classified as a major earthquake under international seismological standards.
Air Evacuation Conducted for Four Survivors from Balut Island
In a separate but related development, Army troops and other responding units coordinated an air casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) for four rescued residents from Balut Island, located at the southern tip of Davao Occidental.
The remote geography of Balut Island — situated at the southernmost edge of Davao Occidental — made aerial evacuation the most viable option for transporting the rescued individuals to medical facilities. The CASEVAC operation underscores the logistical complexity of the disaster response, which spans both urban centers and isolated island communities.
Davao Occidental is one of the provinces within the broader zone of impact from the June 8 earthquake. The inclusion of island communities such as Balut Island in the Army's operational scope highlights the geographic reach of the disaster's effects.
AFP Designated Lead Agency for Search and Rescue by Civil Defense Office
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has formally designated the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as the lead agency in all Search and Rescue operations following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake, according to the Philippine Army's public affairs office.
This designation gives the AFP coordination authority over rescue efforts involving multiple government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and civilian responders operating across the affected zones. The formal designation is consistent with protocols under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, which outlines the AFP's role in large-scale disasters requiring coordinated military and civilian response.
The Philippine Army stated it is working closely with national government agencies and local government units to ensure timely and coordinated search and rescue efforts in collapsed buildings, as well as the delivery of aid to displaced families.
Over 850 Military Personnel Committed to Quake Response Operations
With 253 personnel actively deployed and 607 on stand-by alert, the Philippine Army has committed a combined force of over 860 military personnel to the ongoing disaster response as of June 10, 2026.
The deployed personnel are spread across General Santos City and other quake-affected areas in Mindanao. The stand-by force ensures that the Army can rapidly scale up operations if additional collapsed structures are identified, if survivor signals are detected, or if access to previously unreachable areas is restored.
The scale of the Army's deployment reflects the severity of the June 8 earthquake, which at magnitude 7.8 is among the most powerful earthquakes to hit the Philippines in recent years. A magnitude 7.8 earthquake is capable of causing widespread destruction to infrastructure, particularly in areas with older or less earthquake-resistant buildings.
Coordination with Local Governments for Aid Delivery to Displaced Families
Beyond search and rescue, the Philippine Army has indicated that coordination with local government units is also focused on providing humanitarian assistance to families displaced by the earthquake.
Collapsed buildings, damaged roads, and disrupted utilities are among the common consequences of a major seismic event of this magnitude, forcing residents out of their homes and into evacuation centers or temporary shelters. The Army's role in aid delivery complements the ongoing rescue operations, ensuring that survivors and affected communities receive timely support.
The statement from Colonel Dema-ala did not provide a specific count of displaced families or detail the nature of the aid being delivered as of the June 10 release. Further updates are expected as operations progress and official damage assessments are completed by relevant government agencies.
Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake Struck Mindanao on June 8, 2026
The earthquake that triggered the current disaster response struck on June 8, 2026, registering a magnitude of 7.8. The quake affected multiple areas in Mindanao, prompting an immediate activation of national and local disaster response mechanisms.
The Philippines sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it one of the most seismically active countries in the world. Major earthquakes affecting Mindanao have historically resulted in significant casualties, infrastructure damage, and prolonged humanitarian crises, particularly in areas far from major urban centers where access to emergency services may be limited.
The Philippine Army's continued operations on June 10 — 48 hours after the initial quake — reflect standard disaster response protocols, wherein the first 72 hours are considered the most critical window for locating and rescuing survivors trapped under debris.
Army Operations to Continue as Assessment of Affected Areas Expands
The Philippine Army has indicated that operations will be sustained as search and rescue efforts continue across General Santos City and other affected localities. The 607 personnel on stand-by alert remain ready for rapid deployment based on developments on the ground.
Official damage assessment data, casualty figures, and updates on the status of displaced families are expected to be released by the OCD and relevant national agencies as information is gathered from across the affected zones. The Philippine Army's Public Affairs Office has committed to releasing further updates as operations develop.
As of the June 10, 2026 release from Colonel Dema-ala, rescue operations at the Barangay Calumpang supermarket in General Santos City remained active, with the 18-member USAR team continuing its work at the site.
Photo credit: Photo from S7, 525 CEBn, CER / Philippine Army