A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental on Thursday afternoon, with strong tremors felt in several areas, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
In its earthquake information no. 2, Phivolcs said that the magnitude 5.6 quake struck 42 kilometers (km) south of Balut Island around 4:07 p.m.
It warned the public to expect aftershocks.
Phivolcs initially recorded the earthquake at magnitude 6.4.
The tectonic quake has a reported depth of 26 km.
In Koronadal City, the shaking lasted several seconds, with the ground appearing to sway in a rocking motion.
Measured intensities and affected areas
Intensity V – Kiamba, Sarangani; City of General Santos
Intensity IV – Alabel, Glan, Maasim, Malapatan, and Malungon, Sarangani; Lake Sebu, Polomolok, T’Boli, and Tupi, South Cotabato
Intensity III – Antipas, City of Kidapawan, and Matalam, Cotabato; Maitum, Sarangani; Banga, City of Koronadal, and Tampakan, South Cotabato; Kalamansig, and Lebak, Sultan Kudarat
Intensity II – City of Zamboanga; City of Davao; M’lang, Cotabato; Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, and Tantangan, South Cotabato; Bagumbayan, Columbio, Esperanza, Lambayong, President Quirino, Senator Ninoy Aquino,and City of Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat
Instrumental intensities (measured strength of the ground shaking) and affected areas
Intensity IV – Alabel and Malapatan, Sarangani; Lake Sebu and T’Boli, South Cotabato; City of General Santos; Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat
Intensity III – City of Digos and Matanao, Davao del Sur; Jose Abad Santos, Santa Maria, and Sarangani, Davao Occidental; City of Kidapawan, Cotabato; Maitum, Sarangani; Banga, South Cotabato; Lebak, Sultan Kudarat
Intensity II – Magsaysay, Davao del Sur; City of Davao; M’lang and President Roxas, Cotabato; Maasim, Sarangani; Santo Niño, and Surallah, South Cotabato; Esperanza, Isulan, Kalamansig, and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; Carmen, Surigao del Sur
Intensity I – City of Zamboanga; Kalilangan, Bukidnon; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; Bansalan, Davao del Sur; Magpet, and Pikit, Cotabato; Tantangan, South Cotabato
Phivolcs said the tremor was an aftershock of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake off Sarangani and the magnitude 6.5 earthquake off Davao Occidental recorded last June.
Residents were advised to remain alert for possible aftershocks and observe earthquake safety precautions.