Earthquake hits Batangas, felt in parts of Metro Manila

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Tingloy, Batangas at 8:58 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake was tectonic in origin and had a depth of focus of three kilometers.

The Taal Church facade was damaged during the strong quake that hit the province. PHOTO from the Facebook account of Alvin M. Remo.

The quake was felt strongest at Intensity 6 in Batangas City.

Other reported intensities of the quake were:

• Intensity 5 - Malvar and Calatagan, Batangas
• Intensity 4 - Makati City; Obando, Bulacan; Silang, Noveleta, Imus, and Indang, Cavite; Calamba, Laguna; Sta. Ana,Manila; Valenzuela City; Tagaytay City; Cuenca, Batangas
• Intensity 3 - Mandaluyong City; Quezon City; Gen. Trias, and Dasmariñas, Cavite ; Pasay City; Lucena City; Sta. Rosa, Laguna
• Intensity 2 - Talisay, Batangas; Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro; Pasig City; Meycauayan, Bulacan

Instrumental Intensities were also reported:

• Intensity 4 - Tagaytay City
• Intensity 3 - Mauban, Quezon and Lucena City
• Intensity 2 - Muntinlupa City; Calapan City
• Intensity 1 - Infanta, Quezon

As of Wednesday morning, at least 34 aftershocks have been recorded.

There were no reported injuries as of this posting.

The Phivolcs' Earthquake Intensity Scale classifies an Intensity 6 tremor as "very strong."

Very Strong - Many people are frightened; many run outdoors. Some people lose their balance. [M]otorists feel like [they're] driving [with] flat tires. Heavy objects or furniture move or may be shifted. Small church bells may ring. Wall plaster may crack. Very old or poorly built houses and man-made structures are slightly damaged though well-built structures are not affected. Limited rockfalls and rolling boulders occur in hilly to mountainous areas and escarpments. Trees are noticeably shaken.

Solidum assured the public that there was no imminent tsunami threat in Batangas.

"Wala pong tsunami na maidudulot 'yung lindol kanina," Solidum said.

"Ang protocol po namin kung sa tingin namin walang tsunami, hindi na namin binabanggit 'yun, pero para sigurado na naiintindihan ng ating mga kababayan na wala po no? Kung meron naman po talagang posibilidad na magka-tsunami, babanggitin naman po natin," he added.

Solidum said people should not panic due to the aftershocks.

"Normal po 'yan, sumusunod po talaga 'yan," Solidum said.

"Ang paulit-ulit kong sinasabi, we must be prepared for a stronger one," he added. —NB/BM/BAP/ALG, GMA News