Magnitude 5.4 quake jolts Bicol, Eastern Visayas

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 5.4 earthquake rattled parts of Bicol and Eastern Visayas on Monday night.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the temblor struck 35 kilometers northeast of Prieto Diaz town in Sorsogon at about 10:37 p.m.

Phivolcs said the quake was not expected to cause damage, but warned the public of aftershocks.

The quake was felt at Intensity 5, which is classified as strong, in Sorsogon City.

It was felt at Intensity 4 or moderately strong in Bulusan, Castilla and Sta. Magdalena in Sorsogon; Virac, Catanduanes; Naga City; Allen, Biri, Bobob, Catarman, Laoang, Lavezares and Mondragon in Northern Samar, and Legazpi City in Albay.

The quake was felt at Intensity 3 in Irosin, Sorsogon; Calbayog City, Catbalogan City and Jiabong in Samar; Mapanas and Palapag in Northern Samar; Borongan City, Dolores, Llorente, Maydolong, Oras and Taft in Eastern Samar, and Panganiban, Catanduanes.

The temblor was felt at Intensity 2 in General MacArthur and Hernani, Eastern Samar; Palo, Alangalang, Babatngon, Calubian, Dagami and Tacloban City in Leyte; Naval, Biliran, and Masbate City.

An initial Phivolcs advisory that the magnitude of the quake was 6.4 triggered panic among residents in affected areas.

Phivolcs-Bicol resident chief Paul Alanis said it was the first computation produced by their instruments.

Alanis said the magnitude was revised in their next bulletin after more data arrived.