Magnitude 5.8 quake hits Southern Leyte

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake jolted San Francisco, Southern Leyte on Thursday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

In its updated bulletin, PHIVOLCS said the earthquake occurred offshore around six kilometers from San Francisco at 07:39 a.m.

The earthquake had a depth of focus of 14 kilometers and was tectonic in origin, according to the PHIVOLCS.

According to PHIVOLCS, the following intensities were reported:

Intensity VI - San Francisco in Southern Leyte

Intensity V - Anahawan, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Libagon, Liloan, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan, San Juan, and San Ricardo in Southern Leyte

Intensity IV- Abuyog, Bato, City Of Baybay, Hilongos, Hindang, and Inopacan, in Leyte; Bontoc, Limasawa, City Of Maasin, Macrohon, Malitbog, Saint Bernard, Silago, Sogod, and Tomas Oppus, in Southern Leyte

Intensity III - City Of Cebu; Alangalang, Albuera, Barugo, Burauen, Carigara, Dagami, Dulag, Jaro, Javier, Julita, Kananga, Macarthur, Mahaplag, Mayorga, Merida, Palo, Santa Fe, Tanauan, and Tolosa in Leyte; City Of Surigao in Surigao Del Norte

Intensity II - Babatngon, Isabel, and Palompon in Leyte; City of Cagayan De Oro

Damage and aftershocks were expected, PHIVOLCS said.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, PHIVOLCS chief Teresito Bacolcol said at least nine aftershocks of up to magnitude 2.9 have been reported so far.

Some buildings in Panaon Island sustained damage and crack, Bacolcol said.

“May pictures na po tayong nakukuha na may mga buildings sa Southern Leyte sa may Panaon Island na nasisira o nag-crack,” he said.

(We are getting pictures of buildings in Southern Leyte in Panaon Island that are damaged or cracked.)

Bacolcol noted that the 5.8 magnitude earthquake cannot generate a tsunami.

—Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News