More aftershocks expected from Marinduque earthquake

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Sunday warned the public to prepare for more aftershocks following the earthquake that shook Marinduque over the weekend. A fifth "major" aftershock shook Metro Manila before dawn Sunday, rousing residents. Phivolcs, however, said there was no cause for alarm. Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr said there was no report of damages or injuries caused by the aftershock at about 2:23 a.m. Sunday. "There is also no connection with recent earthquakes in other countries such as Peru," Solidum said in a radio interview. Phivolcs earlier said it recorded more than 590 aftershocks, mostly unfelt by humans, following a 5.2-magnitude quake set off last week by a central Philippine fault but the temblors were not strong enough to cause any damage. The first earthquake hit late Friday and was centered 35 kilometers off central Boac town between the islands of Mindoro and Marinduque, and was felt in outlying provinces as well as in Manila, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The quake was followed by 591 aftershocks, only six of which were felt Saturday and early Sunday in some central and northern provinces, including Metro Manila, the institute said. Meanwhile, Solidum urged residents near Mounts Mayon and Bulusan to be vigilant because the two volcanoes still show signs of activity. Solidum said that while Mayon has been placed under Alert Level 2 and Bulusan at Alert Level 1, the danger of ash explosions remains. "Residents should not enter the six-kilometer permanent danger zone," he said. - GMANews.TV