MMDA: Beware of fake earthquake predictions

The Metropolitan Manila De- velopment Authority (MMDA) has appealed to the public to refrain from disseminating infor- mation through text messages and social media about earthquake predictions.

This was done following a series of chain messages circulating in social media regarding an earthquake that will be experienced in Metro Manila within a 100-kilometer fault line affecting the provinces of Bulacan, Quezon, and the cities of Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna.

The message read: “Warning ng Philvocs sa atin sa lindol na mararanasan sa Metro Manila. May 100 kilometrong fault line na sa kasalukuyan ay nasa Bulacan, Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Rizal, Cavite, at Laguna na kung saan ay maaring maranasan ang intensity 7.1 na lindol.”

The message said that the public is expected to experience a 7.1 magnitude earthquake where an estimated 30,000 people would perish and 100,000 would be injured. It even mentioned a system wherein the MMDA has divided Metro Manila into four clusters to make way for a smooth rescue operation.

The agency however, denied the message and wrote: “Please refrain from sending out information about earthquake prediction via sms and on social media. The MMDA and PHIVOLCS do not and will not relay information about having a prediction of an earthquake. Refer to information provided by the authorities on verified social media channels.”

PHIVOLCS wrote a similar statement and urged to public to refer to their website www. phivolcs.dost.gov.ph and Facebook account: https://www. facebook.com/PHIVOLCS/ for proper information to avoid the spread of confusion and fear to anyone who would read fallacious messages.