A 7.8 magnitude earthquake rattled the southern Philippines early Monday, damaging structures in General Santos and prompting evacuation orders for coastal areas. The tremor struck at 7:37 a.m. near the major tuna-processing hub that serves over 700,000 residents on Mindanao island.

Authorities measured the epicenter 13 kilometers southwest of General Santos at roughly 10 kilometers depth. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned waves up to 3 meters could hit Philippine coasts, while Indonesia and Malaysia faced threats of 1-meter surges. Smaller sea level changes rippled toward Taiwan, Japan, and Guam.

The quake partially collapsed a four-story commercial building housing a radio station, though staff escaped without injury. Officials could not immediately confirm other casualties or trapped individuals as aftershocks up to 6.5 magnitude rattled the region. Emergency responders focused on assessing structural damage before verifying whether anyone remained trapped in debris.

Philippine disaster officials emphasized evacuation procedures, directing coastal residents toward higher ground. The archipelago's position along the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' makes it highly vulnerable to seismic activity, experiencing frequent earthquakes and approximately 20 typhoons annually. This geological reality demands constant preparedness from both government agencies and local communities.