Magnitude 5.3 quake jolts Davao Occidental

BUTUAN CITY — Aftershocks are expected following a magnitude 5.3 earthquake off Davao Occidental that struck before midnight on Thursday, December 6.

The state seismology agency described the earthquake as moderately strong but did not expect any damage or injury.

In its bulletin, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the tectonic earthquake, recorded at 10:13 p.m., struck 19 kilometers (km) northeast of Malita town, Davao Occidental province. The tremor had a depth of 185 km, it said. Nearby General Santos City experienced Intensity 2 tremor.

The quake also jolted residents of nearby Alabel, Sarangani with Intensity 2, while Intensity 1 was also felt in Davao City, Sta. Cruz town, Davao del Sur province and Tupi, South Cotabato province.

Despite the reported intensity, the regional office of the Southern Mindanao Office of Civil Defense noted that there was no casualty nor damage reported.