Manila, June 8 -- At least five people lost their lives in the strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake which hit the southern island of Mindanao in the early hours of Monday, according to a report by Xinhua citing a local official.

As per Xinhua news, Agripino Dacera, the disaster management chief in General Santos City, said authorities are still verifying the extent of the fatalities and damage.

On Monday, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported, citing the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), that Secretary Rex Gatchalian has ordered immediate coordination with local government units and that over 1.1 million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) in Mindanao are available for augmentation to affected families and individuals. ...