Earthquake rocks Cebu, Mandaue, Bohol province

CEBU, Philippines - The cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu and some parts of Bohol Province were shaken by a brief magnitude 4.5 earthquake that occurred at 1:21 p.m. yesterday

Robinson Jorgio, seismic observer of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology-Lapu-Lapu City Monitoring Station said that the said earthquake is still an aftershock from the October 15 mainshock earthquake that hit Cebu and Bohol provinces.

The epicenter of yesterday's tremor, which was tectonic in origin, was San Isidro, 31 kilometers away from Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Jorgio said that intensity four was felt in Mandaue City.

Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Tagbilaran City and the town of Loboc in Bohol felt an intensity three tremor while an intensity of five was felt in San Isidro.

Jorgio said that no damage was reported as a result of the latest quake.

It can be recalled that Cebu and Bohol sustained huge damage after the October 15 quake. Majority of Bohol's old churches were reduced to rubble and residents are still recovering from the tragedy. — (FREEMAN)