Manila, June 10 -- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Wednesday said it is now verifying reports of 45 deaths from the June 8 magnitude 7.8 earthquake that rocked Maasim, Sarangani, and nearby provinces.

In an interview with DZMM, OCD deputy administrator for administration Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the deaths are from Davao Region and Soccsksargen, which include 18 in Sarangani, 15 in South Cotabato, 11 in Davao Occidental, and one in Davao del Sur.

Likewise, Alejandro said that they are now validating reports of 17 missing persons, which can be broken down into 13 from Davao Occidental and four in General Santos City.

Some 630 were reported injured, he added.

These figures, Alejandro said, are still...