Magnitude 6.4 earthquake jolts Davao Oriental, nearby areas

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake shook Davao Oriental and nearby provinces on Wednesday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs said the quake struck at around 11:02 a.m. and originated 23 kilometers below the ground.

In an earlier advisory, Phivolcs listed the earthquake at Magnitude 6.7, but downgraded it in a subsequent bulletin.

The epicenter was located about 55 kilometers east of the town of Manay in Davao Oriental. The earthquake was caused by the movement of tectonic plates.

Strong shaking, or Intensity V, was felt in Manay, Davao Oriental; Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur; and Talacogon in Agusan del Sur.

Moderate shaking (Intensity IV) was reported in Bislig City and Cagwait in Surigao del Sur, as well as in Tarragona and Cateel in Davao Oriental.

Lighter shaking (Intensity III) was experienced in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur; Boston and Baganga in Davao Oriental; and Claver in Surigao del Norte.

Weak shaking (Intensity II) was felt in Davao City, General Santos City, and Butuan City, as well as in Baybay City and Palo in Leyte, and in parts of Southern Leyte.

Phivolcs also recorded shaking through instruments, with Instrumental Intensity IV in Malungon, Sarangani, and Instrumental Intensity III in Kiamba, Sarangani; Digos City, Davao del Sur; and Davao City.

Phivolcs warned that aftershocks may still occur and damage is possible, but stressed that there is no tsunami threat.

“This is considered a strong earthquake,” PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol said in a Dobol B TV interview.

He confirmed that the source of the temblor is the movement in the Philippine Trench.

Bacolcol said the tremor occurred at sea, but no destructive tsunami is expected.

“This will not generate a tsunami,” he said.

In a separate Dobol B TV interview, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)–Region XI Director Endar Dayanghirang said authorities urged residents in Davao City to practice the “duck, cover, and hold” procedure and move to safer areas.

So far, no damage has been reported, Dayanghirang said.

He added that Manay, Davao Oriental Mayor Jon Marco Dayanghirang—his nephew—ordered the suspension of classes in the municipality, while local authorities assisted students who panicked following the quake.

Mayor Dayanghirang also directed inspections of public buildings for possible cracks, according to the OCD official.

Dayanghirang said he advised the younger Dayanghirang to coordinate closely with barangay captains, particularly in monitoring possible landslides, noting that 14 barangays are located in mountainous areas, while three are in coastal zones.

The OCD–Region XI director said fewer residents panicked compared to the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Manay, Davao Oriental in October last year.

“Mas kaunti daw kaysa noon. Kasi ’yung dati, ’yung October 10 na 7.4 earthquake, apat na bayan at City of Mati… and even the municipality of Lupon, limang bayan, punong-puno ang mga ospital ng estudyante,” Dayanghirang said.

(The numbers were fewer compared to before. During the October 10 magnitude 7.4 earthquake, four towns and the City of Mati, as well as five towns including the municipality of Lupon, had hospitals filled with students.)

“Ito, hindi naman gaano nag-panic ’yung mga bata (For this recent earthquake, the children did not panic as much),” he added.

No aftershocks have been recorded so far, Dayanghirang said.—MCG, GMA Integrated News