A magnitude-6.8 earthquake rocked southern Mindanao recently, causing nine deaths and billions in damage. The epicenter was in Sarangani, one of the country's southernmost provinces, and it was felt in the entire Davao Region.

Videos were shared immediately after the incident, showing horrific images taken by individuals who were fearing for their lives.

In a mall in General Santos City, the shaking caused ceiling panels to fall to the ground floor.

The mall was constructed to have a high ceiling above an ample open space where people could gather.

As the earthquake happened, people ran in different directions, some toward a fast-food restaurant to shield themselves from the falling debris.

There was a video of a gymnasium filled with young students where a sportsfest was being held.

The lights went out, and screaming ensued. Thankfully, no one was severely injured in the stampede towards the exit.

In much more urbanized Davao City, a video of a crane falling from the top floor of a condominium under construction was shared online. Watching such a huge piece of equipment fall several stories to the ground was terrifying. No casualties or injuries were reported in this incident.

All this occurred while President Bongbong Marcos Jr. was in the United States on an official trip.

When asked by reporters if he would cut his trip short to attend to the disaster, he correctly answered that there would be no impending need for this since the government had already responded.

He was closely monitoring the incident and even presided over disaster meetings via video conference.

Vice President Sara Duterte, a native of Mindanao, visited the earthquake site and personally met with victims, bringing with her the deep concern of President Marcos Jr.

This was the second big earthquake in this administration. The first was last year's magnitude-7.0 earthquake in Northern Luzon, particularly in Abra, which caused 11 deaths and nearly P2 billion in damage.