4.4 magnitude quake jolts Negros Occidental

MANILA, Philippines - A magnitude 4.4 earthquake rocked Negros Occidental before dawn Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

Phivolcs said the quake, which was tectonic in origin, struck at 4:17 a.m. It was traced 68 kilometers southwest of Hinoba-an town and was recorded at a depth of 31 kilometers.

The quake was felt at Intensity 3 in Basay, Negros Oriental and Sipalay, Negros Occidental, and Intensity 2 in Dumaguete and Tayasan town in Negros Oriental.

It was also felt at Intensity 1 in Iloilo City.

Phivolcs said that the quake was an aftershock of the magnitude 6.3 temblor that struck the province on May 15.