Aftershocks expected from N. Cotabato quake

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned yesterday of aftershocks from a magnitude-5 quake that hit North Cotabato on Wednesday.

 Phivolcs said the quake reportedly damaged houses in Barangay Bacung, public school buildings in Barangay Tuburan and a Protestant church in Barangay Banayal, all in Tulunan towns.

Local officials also reported cracks in the ground and a landslides in Barangay Bacung.

The quake occurred at 10:30 a.m. with its epicenter located some 21 kilometers southeast of Tulunan.

It was felt at Intensity 6 in Tulunan; Intensity 5 and 4 in Makilala and M’lang towns, respectively, both in Cotabato; Intensity 3 in Kidapawan and Tacurong cities in Sultan Kudarat, Davao City and Buluan in Maguindanao, and Intensity 2 in Koronadal City.

Phivolcs described an Intensity 6 quake as “very strong.”