A MAGNITUDE 6.1 earthquake hit Davao del Sur yesterday, just hours after a magnitude 4.8 tremor was recorded in the province.
Both were tectonic in origin.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said 6.1 quake occurred at 12:22 p.m,. some 5 km southeast of Magsaysay town and had a depth of 15 km.
It was felt at Intensity 5 in Kidapawan City, and in the town of Arakan, Carmen, Kabacan, Makilala, and M’Lang all in North Cotabato; Koronadal and Banga in South Cotabato; Matalam, Cotabato; Bansalan, Hagonoy, Magsaysay, and Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur;
Intensity 4 in Davao City; Banisilan and Midsayap in North Cotabato; Don Carlos in Bukidnon; Polomolok, Sto. Niño and Norala in South Cotabato; Alabel, Kiamba and Malapatan in Saranggani; and Palimbang and Tacurong in Sultan Kudarat;
Intensity 3 in Cotabato City; Cagayan de Oro City; Kadingilan and Kitaotao in Bukidnon; Tagum City in Davao del Norte; Maco and Nabunturan in Davao de Oro; Intensity 2 in other parts of Cagayan de Oro City; Kalilangan in Bukidnon; and Intensity 1 in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
A strong aftershock was recorded at 12:30 p.m. which had a magnitude 3.5. Three more minor aftershocks were reported as of 12:52 p.m. Sunday.
The 4.8 magnitude earthquake occurred at 7:28 a.m., with epicenter some 9 km west of Magsaysay town and a depth of 16 km.
Authorities said no aftershocks were expected.
The tremor was felt at Intensity 4 in Makilala, North Cotabato; Intensity 3 in Kibalawan in Davao del Sur and Kidapawan City and Tulunan, both in Cotabato, and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat; and Intensity 2 in Alabel, Sarangani.
Phivolcs director Renato Solidum, in an interview with radio dzBB, said the magnitude 6.1 quake was caused by the movement of the Makilala-Malungon fault line which last jolted the area in October 2019. The earthquake was recorded at magnitude 6.3 that time.
Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas, in a separate interview with dzBB, he has not received reports of injuries or major damages to properties in the province, but a netizen posted a photo of the Gaisano Mall having a minor crack on its facade.
He said he advised residents to stay home to prevent injuries in anticipation of aftershocks.
He said the officials of the province’s risk reduction and management office made the rounds in various areas to check on damage to structures.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office has not posted any report of damage.
Psalmer Bernalte, of the Kidapawan City risk reduction and management office, said they have not received reports of injuries, or major damage to properties.
He said big shopping malls and establishments in the city were closed as a precautionary measure but small retail stores remained open for the needs of residents.
Bernalte said around 70 families living in two barangays at the foot of Mt. Apo were told to evacuate because of possible landslides but refused for fear of getting infected with COVID-19. This prompted him to refer the matter to the local Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases and the local RRMO for guidance.
