Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

Days after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that devastated parts of Southern Mindanao, many affected families remain camped along roadsides, forced to live in makeshift shelters after their homes were damaged or destroyed.In Barangay Siguel, General Santos City, residents say they have yet to receive government assistance four days after the powerful tremor struck, leaving them with little food, clean water, or safe shelter.Among them is the family of Marilyn Jekirani, who now sleeps by the roadside because their house has become too dangerous to occupy. The wooden posts supporting the structure have weakened, raising fears that it could collapse at any time. Jekirani expressed frustration over the lack of assistance.“Masakit talaga sir, masama talaga. Iyon bang hindi ka tinutulungan, Ganito iyong nakikita ng mga tao, tumutingin lang sila. Walang pagkain, walang mainom, walang mahigaan,” Marilyn Jekirani said. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/9/what-we-know-about-the-magnitude-7-8-mindanao-earthquake-2032">What we know about the magnitude 7.8 Mindanao earthquake</a></div>Another resident, Christine Dalani Kauto, said the house her family had lived in for three decades was severely damaged after its walls and roof collapsed. Three families had been staying in the home, but they are now sleeping outdoors.“Parang balewala lang kahit nakikita iyong sitwasyon namin ngayon. Sa labas kami natutulog, paano na ngayon? Sana kahit hindi kami sumisigaw ng tulong kasi nakikita naman nila [kami],” Christine Dalani Kauto said. Aside from food and drinking water, some families are also in urgent need of medical assistance.Nuridja Laki recounted that, in the rush to flee during Monday&#x27;s earthquake, her family fell down a staircase. Her one-year-old grandchild hit the concrete floor and suffered a head injury. Despite the bleeding, the child has yet to be taken to a hospital for treatment. “Nawalan na ako ng malay, kaya ang anak niya, hindi naming napansin ang mga bata sir. (Nahulog?) Oo, kasi wala na kami sa sarili,” Nuridja Laki said.For other residents, remaining inside damaged homes has become a desperate choice.Jorsa Jamjane said her family continues to stay inside their partially collapsed house despite the danger because they have nowhere else to go, especially with the threat of rain. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/11/deped-assures-safety-of-learners-after-quake-damaged-around-4k-schools-in-mindanao-1322">Deped assures safety of learners after quake damaged around 4K schools in Mindanao</a></div>“Kung mamamatay ka, mamamatay ka talaga. Hindi na kami magpunta doon. Mahirap na kapag maulan, saan ka pupunta? Pero kung nandito ka, nandito ka lang sa balay,” Jorsa Jamjane said.ABS-CBN News witnessed personnel from the Philippine Army and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) delivering assistance to residents of Barangay Siguel.According to the Philippine Army, its personnel had been responding to emergencies in Maasim, Sarangani, and only discovered the roadside evacuees while passing through the area. “Magpo-provide po tayo ng potable water ngayon dito po sa 580 families ng Muslim community,” said 2nd Lieutenant Charlotte Grace Rumbaua of the 105th Infantry “Saifullah” Battalion, 6th Infantry Division.“Wala pa pong nakakarating na support dito. Wala pa po silang maayos na temporary shelter,” she added. The responders brought a water purification system to convert water carried by a BFP fire truck into safe drinking water for the affected community.The General Santos City government confirmed that relief assistance had not yet reached Barangay Siguel due to limited logistical capacity. However, city officials said they are coordinating with barangay authorities to facilitate the delivery of aid.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/12/rain-aftershocks-hamper-rescuers-as-mindanao-quake-toll-hits-55-1158">Rain, aftershocks hamper rescuers as Mindanao quake toll hits 55</a></div><div> </div><div>SEARCH AND RETRIEVAL OPERATIONS CONTINUE</div>Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection in Region 12 confirmed that two bodies have been recovered from the rubble of a collapsed grocery store. Authorities, however, believe that as many as 11 individuals may still be missing. “Iyong dalawang missing na huling nabalitaan doon sa Savemore, successfully na-retrieve na natin kahapon. And on standby iyong asset natin para sa iba pang reporter missing sa Region 12,” Fire Inspector John Rulen Cariño, spokesperson of the BFP Region 12, said.A total of 381 BFP personnel from Region 12 are currently involved in disaster response operations, while more than 800 additional personnel remain on standby for other emergencies. The Philippine Coast Guard also recovered the body of the last reported missing minor at sea off Barangay Siguel at around 9 a.m. Thursday, in the aftermath of the earthquake.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/9/outdoor-hospitals-cut-off-communities-as-philippine-quake-toll-hits-41-1428">Outdoor hospitals, cut-off communities as Mindanao quake toll hits 41</a></div>According to the Coast Guard District Southern Mindanao, the body of the 10-year-old boy was found floating in the water. The remains of another victim, an eight-year-old boy, had already been recovered on Wednesday.Based on the latest data from the Office of Civil Defense released on Thursday, June 11, the earthquake&#x27;s death toll has risen to 47, while 31 individuals remain missing.

Days after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that devastated parts of Southern Mindanao, many affected families remain camped along roadsides, forced to live in makeshift shelters after their homes were damaged or destroyed.

Days after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that devastated parts of Southern Mindanao, many affected families remain camped along roadsides, forced to live in makeshift shelters after their homes were damaged or destroyed.

Days after Mindanao quake, families remain on the streets, waiting for relief

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Days after Mindanao quake, families remain on the streets, waiting for relief

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 12, 2026 06:32 PM PHT

Read More:

General Santos City

Mindanao Earthquake

BFP

Office of Civil Defense

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