Magnitude-6 quake jolts MM, Luzon

A magnitude-6 earthquake shook several parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, early yesterday morning but authorities said there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the tremor occurred at 3:32 a.m. with its epicenter traced at 30 kilometers southwest of San Antonio, Zambales. The tremor was felt at Intensity 5 in San Antonio, Botolan, Subic, San Felipe, San Narciso and Olongapo, all in Zambales. It was felt at Intensity 4 (moderately strong) in the cities of Pasig, Manila, Quezon, Makati, Parañaque, Malabon, Pasay and in the municipality of Pateros. The quake was felt also at Intensity 4 in San Mateo, Binangonan and Montalban, Rizal; Hagonoy and Obando, Bulacan; Dagupan City; Lingayen, Pangasinan; Indang and Kawit, Cavite; Bacolor, Angeles City and Clark, Pampanga; Mariveles, Bataan, and Pakil and Los Baños in Laguna. The tremor was felt at Intensity 3 (weak) in Tagaytay City; San Miguel, Tarlac; Baler, Aurora; Gapan, Nueva Ecija; Santa Barbara, Pangasinan. It was slightly felt at Intensity 2 in Baguio City, Batangas City and Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. Solidum said aftershocks are expected from the quake. “No expected damage from this quake. Aftershocks are possible, most likely small events,” he said. Solidum said the quake was triggered by a movement along the Manila trench. “The earthquake was deep at 85 km so its source would be subduction along the Manila Trench,” he explained. He said large earthquakes (magnitude 7 or greater) had happened due to subduction along the Manila trench. The trench runs from the Batanes islands, curving through the waters off Pangasinan, Zambales and into Mindoro island. Solidum urged the public to be always prepared for strong earthquakes. “They should know what to do before, during and after strong earthquakes,” he said.