A total of 36 courts in the Davao Region were damaged by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck off Davao Oriental, the Supreme Court said on Friday.
The SC also said in a message to reporters that all 138 courts in the following provinces suspended their operations on Friday due to the effects of the earthquake:
Davao de Oro
Davao del Norte
Davao del Sur
Davao Occidental
Davao Oriental
Sarangani
South Cotabato
Surigao del Sur ‘Presiding Judges in the affected areas have been authorized to exercise their discretion in suspending court operations to ensure the safety and welfare of court personnel and court users,’ the SC said.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Davao Oriental offshore at 9:43 a.m. Its epicenter was located 62 kilometers southeast of Manay town, Davao Oriental.
Meanwhile, another earthquake occurred barely 10 hours after, this time with a magnitude of 6.8, with its epicenter at 36 kilometers southeast of the same town.