Duterte family safe; agencies respond to Davao del Sur quake – Panelo

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang said Sunday all agencies concerned have been mobilized to respond to the situation in Davao del Sur after a magnitude 6.9 quake struck the municipality of Padada in the province, as well as neighboring areas on Sunday afternoon.

The executive branch, through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Office of Civil Defense, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology is closely monitoring the situation in the province, according to Panelo.

“The Office of the President meanwhile requests everyone to remain calm but stay vigilant in anticipation of aftershocks,” he added in a statement. “We likewise ask the public to refrain from spreading disinformation that may cause undue alarm and panic among affected communities.”

On the other hand, the chief presidential legal counsel also said President Rodrigo Duterte, his partner Honeylet Avanceña and their daughter Kitty were unhurt.

“The President was in his house in Davao City with his daughter Kitty when the earthquake struck,” Panelo said.

“The First Lady Honeylet Avanceña was on her way home when the ground rumbled and moved. She said the car she was riding was swaying. They are unhurt,” he added.

Col. Jose Niembra, commander of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), said the President returned to his sleep after the earthquake.

Duterte’s house in Davao City sustained no damage but would be subjected to a structural integrity check, he added.

/atm