Magnitude- 5.3 quake hits Davao Occidental

A magnitude-5.3 earthquake jolted Davao Occidental on Christmas Day, Friday, hours after a strong temblor hit Batangas and was felt in other areas in Luzon.

State-run Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the 10 a.m. quake occurred some 95 kilometers southeast of Sarangani town in Davao Occidental.

The tectonic quake had a depth of 111 kilometers and was felt in Alabel, Sarangani (Intensity II) and in Kiamba, Sarangani; Koranadal City; and General Santos City (Intensity I).

PHIVOLCS said the earthquake is expected to cause aftershocks.

A magnitude-6.3 quake earlier hit Calatagan, Batangas at 7:43 a.m. State seismologists have so far recorded four aftershocks. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News