5.3-magnitude quake hits north

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — A 5.3-magnitude earthquake rocked some areas in extreme Northern Luzon shortly before midnight last Saturday but did not cause any damage to property, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said. Phivolcs Researcher Porferio de Peralta, who is based in Sinait, this province, said the moderately strong earthquake struck at 11:46 p.m. Saturday with its epicenter located 32 kilometers northwest of Claveria, Cagayan and a depth of 19 kilometers. It was strongest felt at Intensity 3 in Laoag City, Batac City, and Paoay, all in Ilocos Norte; and in Claveria, Cagayan. (Freddie G. Lazaro)