Magnitude-6.9 quake jolts Davao Sur; 4 initially reported dead

Damaged buildings are seen at Padada market, in Padada, Davao del Sur on December 15, 2019 in this still image obtained from social media video. Vincent Yaj Makiputin/via REUTERS

At least four persons were initially reported dead after a magnitude 6.9 quake rocked Davao del Sur in Mindanao on Sunday afternoon.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) director Undersecretary Renato Solidum said the temblor, tectonic in origin, was recorded at 2:11 p.m. with its epicenter traced to 9 kilometers west of Matanao town, and with a depth of 3 kilometers.

Intensity VII was felt Matanao and Magsaysay in Davao del Sur.

#EarthquakePH #EarthquakeDavaoDelSur#iFelt_DavaoDelSurEarthquake
Earthquake Information No.1
Date and Time: 15 Dec 2019 - 02:11 PM
Magnitude = 6.9
Depth = 030 kilometers
Location = 06.64N, 125.30E - 006 km N 86° W of Padada (Davao Del Sur)

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) December 15, 2019

Kidapawan City; General Santos City; Bansalan in Davao del Sur; Alabel and Malapatan in Sarangani;  and Koronadal City experienced Intensity VI.

Intensity V was felt in Tulunan and Matalam, Cotabato; Cotabato City; Davao City; Glan in Sarangani, while Intensity III was experienced in Kalilangan, Talakag, and  Dangcagan in Bukidnon.

The town of Impasug-ong in Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City,  Dipolog City felt Intensity II.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga del Sur felt Intensity 1.

As of 6 p.m., 179 aftershocks have been recorded, PHIVOLCS said.

Duterte safe

President Rodrigo Duterte, who was at home in Davao City when the quake struck, is safe, Malacañang said in a statement.

“President Duterte was in his house in Davao City with his daughter Kitty when the earthquake struck,” the Palace said.

Presidential Security Group Commander Brigadier General Jose Niembra said that Duterte "went back to sleep" after the quake.

"Ok lang wala naman damage [sa] house pero pa-check pa rin [ang] structural integrity. PRRD ok lang, natulog uli after the quake," he said.

The Palace added that Duterte's partner Honeylet Avanceña had been on her way home when the earthquake struck. "She said the car she was riding was swaying. They are unhurt," it said.

Four dead

A six-year-old child was killed in the town of Matanao, Mayor Vincent Fernandez told Super Radyo dzBB.

In a separate dzBB interview, the Bureau of Fire Protection said that at least three persons died when a three-storey supermarket building collapsed in Padada.

Davao Airport

Davao International Airport in Davao City sustained some structural damage, though not to its runway. Operations there are continuing as normal, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) spokesperson Eric Apolonio said in another interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

Apolonio added that passengers will be notified by the airlines if there will be any disruption to their scheduled flights.

"Definitely 'yung mga airlines concerned, tatawagan 'yung ating mga pasahero kung sakaling magkakaroon ng adjustments sa flight," he said.

Injuries

South Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Rolly Aquino said some residents suffered mild injuries and had hyperventilated due to the earthquake.

According to him, some hurt employees of Gaisano Mall, KCC Mall, and Ace Centerpoint Mall were rushed to hospital for treatment.

Saranggani PDRRMO head Rene Punzalan said it felt like the temblor lasted for more than 10 seconds.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, he said that some youths fainted during a sports event in their Provincial Capitol.

Citing initial information from residents, RGMA's Raul Tolibas reporting from Davao City said a stall in Padada Public Market collapsed while some flower vendors were inside.

Meanwhile, shoppers at a Gaisano Mall and the Victoria Plaza Mall were seen scrambling for the malls' exit doors, Tolibas added.

WATCH: Residents scramble for safety when quake hits

Classes for Monday have been canceled in the entire province of Davao del Sur as well as in Davao City and General Santos City. Government work and work in the private sector have also been suspended in Davao del Sur for that day.

Quake-troubled Mindanao

Since October this year, Mindanao has been jolted by strong quakes, one after another, with victims hardly recovering from shock and displacement when another one strikes again.

A magnitude-6.5 earthquake rocked parts of Mindanao on October 31, following a bigger one occurring on October 29 at magnitude 6.6,  which followed the one on October 16 with 6.3 magnitude.

As of November 3, the combined death toll from the earthquakes was at 22, according to the latest update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). —Joviland Rita/LBG/BM, GMA News