(Updated 7:00 a.m.) At least 127 aftershocks were recorded in the first few hours after a magnitude-7.6 quake jolted Eastern Visayas Friday night but the aftershocks may last weeks, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Saturday.
 
Phivolcs director Renato Solidum Jr. also said the aftershocks can happen at any time, but reiterated his advice to the public not to panic.
 
“Noong February, may magnitude-6.9 sa Negros, libo ang aftershocks after several weeks. Inaasahan natin maraming pwedeng aftershocks pwedeng mangyari (We have so far recorded 127 aftershocks. If we go by the thousands of aftershocks felt after a magnitude-6.9 quake last February, we can expect aftershocks in the coming weeks after Friday’s quakes),” he said in a 5 a.m. interview on dzBB radio.
 
When asked how many aftershocks Phivolcs had recorded as of 5 a.m., he said 127, but added it is important that residents not panic when one takes place.
 
He also advised local governments to identify areas in higher ground where residents could be evacuated if a powerful tremor hits.
 
“Isipin natin (ang aftershock) pabigla-bigla. Importante maging mahinahon ang mga tao (We should assume an aftershock can take place at any time. So it is important to remain calm),” he said.
 
Solidum also said it is possible an aftershock could be more powerful than the initial quake. Phivolcs had initially measured Friday night’s quake at magnitude 7.7.
 
Waking volcanoes?
 
But he also said there is little chance of the quake waking nearby volcanoes, including those in Bicol.
 
“Wala naman, malayo ang Bicol area (There is little chance of that. Bicol is rather far),” he said.

 

The initial quake was recorded at 8:47 p.m. Friday, with the epicenter at 112 km southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

 

The earthquake was felt at:

 

- Intensity VII: Guiuan, Oras, Sulat, Borongan City, Eastern Samar; Tacloban City

- Intensity VI: Siargao, Surigao del Norte; Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte

- Intensity V: Mati City; Compostela; Legaspi City; Iloilo City; Bislig City, Iligan City; Davao City; Cateel Davao Oriental ; Roxas City, Capiz

- Intensity IV: Butuan City, Catbalogan City, Cagayan De Oro City; Dipolog City; Manukan, ZN; Polanco, ZN; Tagum, Davao del N., Digos City; Dumaguete City; Bacolod City

- Intensity III: Cotabato City, Mambajao, Camiguin, General Santos City; Dao, Capiz, Dingle, Iloilo; Kidapawan City; Jaro, Iloilo; Daet, Cam. Norte; Binalbagan Neg. Occ.; Sindanga, Zamboanga del Norte

- Intensity II: Marawi City, Sipalay City, Hinigaran, La Carlota La Granja, Neg. Occ., Cebu City

 

At least 13 aftershocks were recorded until 11:24 p.m. Friday, some of them occurring seconds of each other; and two more on Saturday. — ELR, GMA News