GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), through the Coast Guard District Southern Mindanao (CGDSM), has intensified its search and rescue, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance operations across General Santos City following the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8, 2026.
As emergency responders continue to assess the full extent of the disaster, fatalities have already been recorded while several individuals remain missing amid ongoing rescue operations in affected communities.
One of the major response efforts was conducted at Watergran Resort in Barangay Bawing, where several beachgoers were reported missing following the powerful earthquake.
According to CGDSM, its Special Operations Group and Coast Guard Sub-Station Bawing, together with the Barangay Local Government Unit and partner agencies, immediately launched search and rescue operations upon receiving reports of the incident.
Rescue teams arrived at the area at approximately 9:38 a.m. on June 8 and integrated with ongoing emergency response efforts. Through coordinated operations, four individuals were successfully rescued while one deceased victim was recovered.
However, as of 5:00 p.m., two individuals remained unaccounted for.
Due to deteriorating visibility and safety concerns for responders, search operations were temporarily suspended at around 5:20 p.m. and scheduled to resume the following day once conditions became safer for deployment.
Meanwhile, another tragic incident unfolded in Purok Felomina, Barangay Tambler, where a structure collapsed during the earthquake, trapping at least one individual beneath the rubble.
Acting on information provided by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) General Santos City, the CGDSM immediately deployed its Deployable Response Group (DRG) to assist in search and rescue operations.
Coast Guard Working Dog (CGWD) “Tiger” played a crucial role in the operation after positively indicating the possible presence of a trapped victim beneath the debris. The identified area was immediately marked and relayed to responding agencies to facilitate focused rescue efforts.
After hours of painstaking recovery operations, responders recovered the body of a 28-year-old male from the collapsed structure at approximately 5:26 p.m. on June 8. The victim’s remains were subsequently transported to St. Peter Funeral Homes in Barangay Apopong for proper disposition.
Search and rescue activities at the site were later suspended at around 7:00 p.m. upon the directive of the Incident Commander from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) due to nightfall and low visibility. Operations resumed on June 9.
Despite the challenges, all deployed CGDSM personnel safely returned to headquarters without incident.
On the second day following the powerful earthquake, the Coast Guard District Southern Mindanao remained on heightened alert status under the leadership of Commodore Jonathan Marfil, District Commander of CGDSM.
To strengthen ongoing response efforts, additional personnel and resources from the Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao (CGDNM) were mobilized and deployed to General Santos City to augment search and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance missions, and disaster response activities.
Commodore Marfil emphasized that the Philippine Coast Guard remains fully committed to performing its mandate of protecting lives and providing immediate assistance to communities affected by the disaster.
“The Philippine Coast Guard continues to ensure timely assistance and support to affected communities through effective coordination, vigilance, and swift action,” Marfil said.
As rescue teams continue searching for missing persons and assessing earthquake-related damage, the PCG is working closely with local government units, emergency responders, and partner agencies to strengthen public safety measures and accelerate recovery efforts.
Authorities have urged residents in affected areas to remain vigilant, cooperate with emergency personnel, and immediately report any missing persons or individuals who may still be trapped in damaged structures as search and rescue operations continue.
The Coast Guard assured the public that it remains fully committed to sustaining rescue and humanitarian operations until all missing persons are accounted for and affected communities receive the assistance they need in the aftermath of one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in recent years.