No tsunami threat from Davao Occidental quake —PHIVOLCS

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Saturday said there is no tsunami threat following the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that occurred offshore Davao Occidental.

"No destructive tsunami threat exists based on available data. This is for information purposes only and there is no tsunami threat to the Philippines from this earthquake," PHIVOLCS said in its Tsunami Information No. 1.

"However, earthquakes of this size may generate unusual sea level disturbances that may be observed along coasts near earthquake epicenter of Davao Occidental and nearby provinces," it added.

The magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck at 7:07 a.m. in the waters off Sarangani Island in the municipality of Sarangani in Davao Occidental. 

The quake had a depth of 79 km and was tectonic in origin.

Intensity V was felt in Glan and Malungon in Sarangani, and in Pantukan, Davao de Oro, PHIVOLCS said.

Meanwhile, Intensity IV was recorded in Alabel, Kiamba, and Malapatan in Sarangani; General Santos City; Tupi and Koronadal City in South Cotabato; Davao City and Santa Cruz in Davao del Sur; Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental; and Monkayo in Davao de Oro.

PHIVOLCS said no damage is expected but aftershocks may occur.

The earthquake was first reported by PHIVOLCS as having magnitude 6.9, but downgraded it to magnitude 6.1 in an update. —KG, GMA Integrated News