Magnitude 5.1, 5.4 earthquakes hit Balut Island, Sarangani

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake jolted Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental Wednesday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

The state volcanology office said the tremor occurred at 7:43 a.m. and was located 21 kilometers north of Balut Island.

It has a depth of 18 kilometers.

Intensity III was reported in General Santos; Kiamba, Malapatan, and Malungon, Sarangani; and Tupi, South Cotabato

Intensity II in Maasim, Sarangani while Intensity I was reported in Santo Niño, South Cotabato and Kidapawan, Cotabato.

The following instrumental intensities were reported:

• Intensity IV - Sarangani, Davao Occidental; Alabel, Sarangani
• Intensity III- Malapatan and Malungon, Sarangani; General Santos; Tupi, South Cotabato
• Intensity II- Santo Niño, South Cotabato; Jose Abad Santos, Don Marcelino, and Santa Maria, Davao Occidental; Kiamba, Maitum, and Maasim, Sarangani; Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
• Intensity I - City of Digos and Matanao, Davao del Sur; City of Koronadal and Surallah, South Cotabato

PHIVOLCS said this is an aftershock of the magnitude 7.8 offshore earthquake that hit Sarangani in June 2026 and the magnitude 6.5 offshore Davao Occidental earthquake.

The Sarangani provincial government suspended face-to-face classes and work in government office to allow post-earthquake safety inspections and damage assessments to ensure the safety of learners, personnel, and the public.

It said that personnel involved in emergency response, healthcare and medical services, peace and order, public safety, and disaster management operations are exempted from the suspension.

Another earthquake

PHIVOLCS director Teresito Bacolcol said another magnitude 5.4 earthquake occurred at 9:11 a.m.

Based on the agency’s earthquake information, the second earthquake had a depth of focus of 10 km and was tectonic in origin.

According to Bacolcol, these two tremors were aftershocks of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake last June 8 in the same province.

“Aftershocks po 'yun ng 7.8 event noong June 8...Hindi naman po surprising kasi masyadong malakas 'yung 7.8. And until now, nakakaramdam pa rin tayo ng aftershocks,” he told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview.

(These are aftershocks from the 7.8 event on June 8...It's not surprising because the 7.8 was very strong. And until now, we are still feeling aftershocks.)

Bacolcol classified the magnitude 5.1 and 5.4 earthquakes as moderate when it comes to strength. The magnitude 5.1 tremor registered an intensity of III, while the magnitude 5.4 earthquake had an intensity of IV.

Both earthquakes were generated by movement along the Cotabato Trench, according to Bacolcol.

Residents in the affected areas should expect occasional aftershocks but these generally weaken as time passes, the PHIVOLCS chief said. —Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA News