Magnitude-5.5 quake jolts Leyte; classes suspended

MANILA, Philippines — Classes were suspended in some towns in Leyte after a strong earthquake rocked the province early yesterday morning.

The magnitude-5.5 quake struck some eight kilometers southeast of Leyte town in Leyte at 5:19 a.m., according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The quake was felt at Intensity 5 in the towns of Kananga, Capoocan, Leyte and Pastrana, and in the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc.

Intensity 4 was felt in Alang-alang, Dulag, Babatngon, Palo and Palompon, all in Leyte; Mandaue City and Cebu City, both in Cebu, and Naval in Biliran province.

Intensity 3 was felt in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu and Lawaan in Eastern Samar.

Phivolcs warned of possible damage and aftershocks from the quake.

A magnitude-3.1 aftershock was recorded at 6:04 a.m., which was felt at Intensity 1 in Ormoc, Phivolcs said.

The municipal disaster risk reduction and management councils of Carigara and Capoocan ordered school officials to inspect schoolbuildings.

The quake damaged classrooms at the Biliran Science High School in Biliran town.

Mayor Grace Casil suspended classes in all levels to ensure the safety of students.

The provincial disaster risk reduction and management office has yet to receive reports  on the extent of damage from the quake.

Meanwhile, a magnitude-3.3 quake rocked parts of Mindanao on Sunday night.

The temblor occurred at 7:23 p.m. with its epicenter located  some 11 km northwest of Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

It was felt at Intensity 3 in Kidapawan City, Bansalan and Magsaysay, and Intensity 2 in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat. – With Miriam Desacada