The Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (CMSP) called for prayer and solidarity on Monday after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Mindanao.
The quake killed at least 19 people and left communities across the southern Philippines grappling with widespread damage, power outages, and disrupted communications.
In a statement issued hours after the quake, the organization urged Filipinos to support affected communities through prayer and concrete acts of compassion.
“In this difficult time, let us come together in prayer for the safety, protection, and healing of all those affected,” said CMSP.
Preliminary figures from disaster authorities showed 19 deaths, including 16 in the Soccsksargen region and three in Davao Occidental.
At least 134 people were reported injured, and 12 remained missing, although officials said the numbers were still being validated.
Church workers in the affected region reported widespread disruption to infrastructure and ongoing difficulties reaching some communities.
The extent of the damage was still being assessed in several areas as communications and transportation networks remained disrupted.
Fr. Jerome Millan, social action director of the Diocese of Marbel, reported significant challenges in reaching affected communities.
“There are roads that remain impassable. There is no electricity in South Cotabato, General Santos, and Sarangani. Many buildings have been damaged,” he said in a text message.
Millan said church personnel had yet to establish contact with some vulnerable communities.
“We still have no news from our Indigenous Peoples communities and from our community in Ned, Lake Sebu,” he said.
The earthquake struck off the coast south of General Santos City and triggered tsunami warnings across parts of the region. A series of strong aftershocks followed, prompting evacuations in coastal communities and damage assessments across affected provinces.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended classes across Mindanao and ordered residents in vulnerable coastal areas to move to higher ground as authorities monitored potential tsunami threats.
National government officials arrived in Mindanao on Monday to coordinate response operations. Among them were Department of National Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino, Office of Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Harold Cabreros, and Assistant Secretary Laurence Mina.
Officials from the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Education also joined emergency response efforts. After arriving in Davao City, the officials proceeded to Sarangani aboard a Black Hawk helicopter to assess conditions on the ground.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Office of Civil Defense in Soccsksargen raised their operations centers to Red Alert status as rescue, relief, and assessment operations continued.
The CMSP called on Filipinos to accompany affected communities through prayer and acts of solidarity.
“May the Lord strengthen rescue workers, comfort displaced families, and grant wisdom to leaders and responders as they provide aid and assistance,” the organization said.
“Let us stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Mindanao—not only through our prayers but also through acts of compassion and support,” it added.
