Magnitude 5.9 quake jolts Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Maguindanao yesterday.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake occurred at about 2:25 a.m. The epicenter was located 31 kilometers west of Datu Blah T. Sinsuat town.

Phivolcs said the quake was felt at Intensity 5, which is classified as strong, in Datu Blah Sinsuat, South Upi and Upi in Maguindanao; Cotabato City, and Esperanza, Lebak, Palimbang, Kalamansig, Sen. Ninoy Aquino and Bagumbayan in Sultan Kudarat.

The quake was felt at Intensity 4 or moderately strong in General Santos City; Zamboanga City; Pagadian City; Isabela, Basilan; Antipas, Alamada, Tulunan, Pigcawayan, Kabacan and Banisilan in Cotabato; Koronadal City, Tupi, Polomolok, Sto. Niño, Surallah, Tampakan and Banga in South Cotabato; Kiamba and Maitum, Sarangani; Lutayan and Isulan, Sultan Kudarat,  and Datu Odin Sinsuat and Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao.

The temblor was felt at Intensity 3 in Ozamiz City; M’lang, Makilala and Tantangan in Cotabato; Norala, South Cotabato; President Quirino and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat; Maasim, Sarangani; Pitogo and Labangan in Zamboanga del Sur; Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, and Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay.

The quake was also felt in parts of Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon.

Phivolcs said damage and aftershocks are expected from the quake.

In Antique, a magnitude 5.1 quake occurred at about 12:25 p.m. The epicenter was traced 20 kms off the coast of Anini-y.

It was felt at Intensity 4 in Anini-y, Tobias, Fornier and San Jose de Buenavista in Antique and Intensity 3 in Sibalom and Belison, also in Antique, and Iloilo City. – Roel Pareño, John Unson