Zamboanga Peninsula on Alert as Powerful Davao Quake Felt Across Mindanao

Daphne Santuyo

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A powerful earthquake that struck near Davao City on October 10, 2025, sent tremors across the island of Mindanao, with residents in the Zamboanga Peninsula reporting feeling the ground shake. While the epicenter was hundreds of kilometers away, the quake served as a stark reminder of the region's seismic activity. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported the earthquake to have a magnitude of 7.1, with its epicenter located east of Davao City. The powerful quake caused significant shaking in the Davao Region, prompting residents and office workers to evacuate buildings.

In the Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9), the effects were less severe but still noticeable. Residents in major cities, including Zamboanga City, the region's commercial hub, reported feeling light to moderate shaking.

"I was on the fourth floor of our office building when I felt a gentle swaying," said Maria Reyes, a resident of Zamboanga City. "It wasn't strong, but it was enough to make you realize it was an earthquake."

Similar experiences were reported in Pagadian City, the regional center, where the earthquake was felt as a weak tremor. In the northern cities of Dipolog and Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte, some residents also noted the slight ground movement. In Isabela City, Basilan, which is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao but is geographically close to the Zamboanga Peninsula, the quake was also reportedly felt.

Local disaster management officials in the respective cities of Region 9 have not reported any damage to infrastructure or casualties. However, the event has prompted calls for a review of earthquake preparedness plans.

PHIVOLCS has advised the public to remain vigilant for aftershocks, although the likelihood of significant aftershocks being felt in the Zamboanga Peninsula is low given the distance from the epicenter. The earthquake is a sobering reminder that the entire island of Mindanao is vulnerable to seismic events, and preparedness is key to mitigating potential risks. Meanwhile, the Office of the Civil Defense IX issued a directive right away to all the LGUs of Zamboanga Peninsula to be reminded that timely reporting and proactive monitoring are crucial in preventing casualties and mitigating the impact of possible hazards noting that this is a serious situation requiring immediate action.