MANILA – A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Davao Oriental on Saturday with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issuing tsunami warning on nearby seawaters.
Based on the bulletin released by Philvolcs, the epicenter of the quake was recorded 162 kilometers south of the municipality of Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental with depth of 49 kilometers at 11:39 a.m.
The earthquake was felt at Intensity V in Glan, Sarangani; Koronadal City; Intensity IV in General Santos City; Tupi, South Cotabato; Alabel, Sarangani; Kiamba, Sarangani; Mati City and Manay, Davao Oriental; and Davao City.
Intensity III jolted Makilala, North Cotabato; Valencia City and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon and Cagayan De Oro City; Maitum, Sarangani; Tagum City; Mabini, Compostela Valley; Tacloban City; and Palo, Leyte.
The quake was at Intensity II in Kadingilan and Don Carlos, Bukidnon; Tagoloan and El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental; M’lang, North Cotabato; Surallah, South Cotabato and Intensity I in Zamboanga City.
Phivolcs also told the public to temporarily stay away from beaches and not go to the coast as minor sea level disturbances such as strong currents and rapid rise and fall of seawater could be expected.
Among the areas alerted for possible tsunami were Compostela Valley, Davao Del Norte, Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Agusan Del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, Surigao Del Norte, and Surigao Del Sur.
“People whose houses are located near the shores of said provinces were advised to move farther inland,” Phivolcs said. “Owners of boats in harbors, estuaries or shallow coastal water should secure their boats and move away from the water.”
Aside from tsunami, Phivolcs also said aftershocks could be expected from the ground shake that was also felt in Davao City, Cagayan de Oro city and Zamboanga City./PN
