What is VP Duterte doing as Mindanao reels from massive quake?
[Updated June 10, 2026, 3:45 p.m.]
MANILA, Philippines — As Mindanao grapples with the aftermath of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck on June 8, killing dozens and injuring hundreds, questions are being raised about Vice President Sara Duterte’s response to the disaster.
The interest stems partly from Duterte’s long-standing support base in Mindanao, which has long been considered a political stronghold of the Duterte family.
READ: LIVE UPDATES: Mindanao earthquake | June 10, 2026
Before becoming vice president, she served as mayor of Davao City, while her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, rose to national prominence from the southern region.
Food truck
So far, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has announced the deployment of its Kalusugan (Health) Food Truck to provide hot meals to front-liners and rescuers in General Santos City.
READ: Mindanao earthquake death toll now at 45 – NDRRMC
Before the update of this article, the latest photo seen of the vice president was in her participation in Brigada Eskwela 2026 activities in Baybay City, Leyte on June 5, prompting questions about her whereabouts.
However, on Wednesday afternoon, the OVP released photos of the Vice President leading the distribution of Relief for Indigents and Individuals in Crises and Emergencies (RIICE) in Cotabato City.
Duterte clarified that both she and the OVP have been carrying out relief efforts in the affected areas since the earthquake struck.
READ: VP Sara Duterte replies to impeach raps
“We deployed the food truck to General Santos City, where it prepared hot meals for first responders and rescuers working at collapsed buildings,” Duterte said in an ambush interview during her visit to General Santos.
She added that the OVP also distributed food and non-food assistance for residents displaced by the disaster.
Following this, Duterte said she personally visited the affected communities in Sarangani and General Santos City.
“Earlier today, I extended my condolences, along with those of the entire Office of the Vice President and our family, to the families of those who lost loved ones in the earthquake,” she added.
She said she also went to those who suffered injuries from the quake.
Preparedness
The vice president likewise stressed the importance of earthquake preparedness, noting that earthquakes strike without warning.
“The most effective way we can prepare and protect ourselves is to know what to do when an earthquake strikes so that we do not panic,” Duterte said.
Meanwhile, government agencies continued search, rescue, and retrieval operations in affected areas as aftershocks persisted. /dp /atm /mr
HELP MINDANAO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
The Inquirer Foundation is calling for support for communities devastated by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.
In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the foundation is amplifying appeals for food, clean water and other critical assistance for affected families.
Donors may send contributions directly to the Philippine Red Cross through its official transfer channels, the complete list is available on the PRC’s Facebook page.
The Philippine Red Cross has activated its emergency fund campaign and deployed teams on the ground to provide medical services, distribute relief goods and extend psychosocial support to affected families.
