Thomas Markle, a retired TV lighting director, has previously said he moved to the Philippines to start a new chapter alongside his son, Thomas Jr., 58.

Deadly Aftermath of the Quake

Meanwhile, rescue crews continued to search for survivors using sniffer dogs and heavy machinery to dig through the wreckage of collapsed homes and damaged buildings. The earthquake, which struck overnight while many were sleeping, has already claimed at least 69 lives and injured more than 200 others.

Officials warned that the death toll could climb further as aftershocks persisted through Wednesday, though the exact number of missing persons remained unclear.

The 6.9-magnitude tremor is one of the strongest to hit the region in more than ten years, leaving destruction and fear in its wake.