5.7 magnitude quake jolts Occidental Mindoro

September 27 ------ A 5.7 magnitude earthquake was recorded off Occidental Mindoro past 1 a.m. on Monday, with the tremor felt in Metro Manila. According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the tectonic quake struck at 1:12 a.m., with its epicenter 18 kilometers northeast of Looc, Occidental Mindoro and at a depth of 76 kilometers.

These areas experienced the following intensities on the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale:

Intensity IV:

Calatagan, Lian, Lipa City, Malvar and Nasugbu, Batangas;

Malolos City and Obando, Bulacan;

Cavite City, General Trias, Naic, Amadeo, Bacoor, Dasmarinas, Tagaytay City and Tanza, Cavite;

Biñan, Cabuyao, Laguna;

Las Pinas City; Malabon City; Mandaluyong City; City of Manila; Marikina City; Muntinlupa City; Paranaque City; San Juan City; Taguig City; Pateros, Metro Manila;

Abra De Ilog, Looc, Lubang and Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro;

Baco, Naujan and Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro;

San Mateo and Taytay, Rizal

Intensity III:

Santo Tomas, Batangas;

Makati City, Pasay City, Pasig City, Quezon City;

Valenzuela City;

Santa Cruz, Occidental Mindoro;

Antipolo City;

Socorro, Oriental Mindoro

Intensity II - Los Banos, Laguna; Palayan City, Nueva Ecija

Intensity I - Arayat, Pampanga

The quake and volcano monitoring agency said it expects damage and aftershocks. A magnitude 4.5 aftershock 19 kilometers northeast of Looc was recorded at 1:40 a.m. Fourteen minutes after the quake, a second, smaller quake of magnitude 2.9 was recorded at 1:26 a.m., 28 kilometers northeast of Looc. About half an hour before the quake, at 12:39 a.m., a 2.6 magnitude quake was recorded near Calatagan, Batangas in around the same area.

PHIVOLCS OIC and Science Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. said in an interview on Unang Balita that 112 aftershocks have been recorded as of 5 a.m. Solidum said the magnitude 5.7 earthquake was triggered by the movement in the Manila Trench. "Ang sanhi ng pagkilos diyan sa bandang Lubang Island at sa pagkitan ng Calatagan, Batangas ay ang pagsuksok ng bato ng West Philippine Sea sa Manila Trench, isang earthquake generator na nagmumula sa Taiwan hanggang Mindoro," he said.

Solidum said a magnitude 6.6 earthquake occurred offshore in Calatagan, Batangas last July 24 and this is related to movement in the Manila Trench. "So far wala tayong nakukuha o nare-receive na report na may nasaktan o na-damage. Wala tayong inaasahang significant damage," he added. Some residents of a condominium in Manila hurriedly went down as they felt the earthquake before dawn on Monday, according to a separate report on Unang Balita. Solidum reminded residents to still observe health and safety protocols during evacuation.

"Kung talagang kinakailangang magkaroon ng paglikas at lalong lalo na kung malakas talaga ang pagyanig, kasi sa taas ng condominium ang pagkaramdam nila ay mataas, itong earthquake evacuation ay magiging priority over stay at home," he said. "Magkaroon ng physical distancing... Pumunta sa open area... Kung magkukumpol, mga miyembro ng pamilya at malayo sa iba, at pagkatapos ay balik agad," Solidum said.

Source: gmanetwork.com