Magnitude 5.5 earthquake strikes offshore Sarangani, Davao Occidental

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani in Davao Occidental on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

PHIVOLCS said the earthquake occurred at 2:15 p.m., with its epicenter located 77 kilometers southwest of Balut Island in Sarangani.

The tremor was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 10 kilometers.

No damage or aftershocks are expected from the earthquake, PHIVOLCS said.

The following intensities were reported in affected areas:

• Intensity II - Alabel, Sarangani
• Instrumental Intensities:
• Intensity III - Maitum, Sarangani; T'boli, South Cotabato
• Intensity II - Malapatan, Sarangani; Santo Niño, Tupi and Surallah, South Cotabato; Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat
• Intensity I - Digos City, Davao del Sur; Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental; Koronadal City, Tampakan, South Cotabato; Zamboanga City

On Monday, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit offshore Sarangani. PHIVOLCS has yet to confirm whether the incident on Tuesday was associated with the earlier earthquake. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/VBL, GMA News