Quakes rattle Surigao del Norte anew

MANILA, Philippines — Nine earthquakes with magnitudes of at least 4.0 struck Surigao del Norte yesterday.

The strongest temblor had a magnitude of 5.9. It struck 82 kilometers south of Cagwait  town at 12:45 a.m., according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The quake was recorded at Intensity 3 in Bislig City and Marihatag town. It was recorded at Intensity 2 in San Agustin.

A magnitude 4.0 quake occurred 57 kilometers north of Bayabas at 1:14 a.m.

Seven other tremors hit Cagwait and Hinatuan with magnitudes ranging from 4.0 to 4.6.

Phivolcs said there were no expected damage and aftershocks from the quakes.

At least 3,302 aftershocks of the magnitude 7.4 quake that struck Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur on Saturday have been recorded.

Thirty-eight, which were felt by residents, had magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 6.6.

Three persons were reported dead and 48 others were injured due to the quake.

A state of calamity has been declared in Surigao del Sur to speed up relief and rehabilitation of areas damaged by the quake and the series of aftershocks.

On the magnitude 6.8 quake that struck Cagwait town, also in Surigao del Sur, on Tuesday, Phivolcs said it has recorded 1,250 aftershocks.

Nine of the aftershocks were felt and had magnitudes of 1.4 to 5.8.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said the strong quakes recorded in Mindanao were due to the movement of the Philippine Trench.