Magnitude 6 earthquake rocks Davao de Oro

A magnitude 6 earthquake struck New Bataan, Davao de Oro on Wednesday evening, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

Based on its earthquake bulletin, the epicenter of the quake was 12 kilometers N 29° E of New Bataan, Davao De Oro.

The quake, which was downgraded from magnitude 6.1, occurred at 6:44 p.m.

The tectonic earthquake also had a depth of 27 kilometers.

PHIVOLCS updated the report by 3 a.m., adding that the quake occurred southeast of Compostela in Davao de Oro with a depth of 28 kilometers.

PHIVOLCS said reported intensities were felt in several areas: 

Intensity V - Compostela, Laak, Mabini, Maco, Maragusan, Mawab, Monkayo, Montevista, Nabunturan, New Bataan, and Pantukan, Davao de Oro; Asuncion, Braulio E. Dujali, Carmen, New Corella, Santo Tomas, and City of Tagum, Davao del Norte; Baganga, Banaybanay, Boston, Cateel, and Lupon, Davao Oriental

Intensity IV - Kapalong, City of Panabo, and Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte; City of Davao; Caraga, Governor Generoso, Manay, City of Mati, San Isidro, and Tarragona, Davao Oriental; City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Intensity III - Damulog, Kadingilan, Kalilangan, Libona, Pangantucan, and Talakag, Bukidnon; City of Cagayan De Oro; San Isidro, and Talaingod, Davao del Norte; Malungon, Sarangani; Tupi, South Cotabato; Cagwait, and Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

Intensity II - San Francisco, Southern Leyte; Baungon, Cabanglasan, City of Malaybalay, Malitbog, and City of Valencia, Bukidnon; City of El Salvador, and Villanueva, Misamis Oriental; Bansalan, Davao del Sur; Aleosan, Arakan, Banisilan, Kabacan, City of Kidapawan, M'lang, and Midsayap, Cotabato; Alabel, Glan, Kiamba, and Malapatan, Sarangani; Banga, City of Koronadal, Norala, Santo Niño, and Tampakan, South Cotabato; City of General Santos; Columbio, and Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat; Tagbina, Surigao del Sur; City of Cotabato

Intensity I - Candijay, Bohol; Catarman, Guinsiliban, Mahinog, Mambajao, and Sagay, Camiguin; City of Digos, Hagonoy, Kiblawan, Magsaysay, Malalag, Matanao, Padada, Santa Cruz, and Sulop, Davao del Sur; Don Marcelino, Malita, and Santa Maria, Davao Occidental; Alamada, Antipas, Carmen, Libungan, Magpet, Makilala, Matalam, Pikit, President Roxas, and Tulunan, Cotabato; Maasim, Sarangani; Lake Sebu, and Polomolok, South Cotabato; Esperanza, President Quirino, and City of Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat; Dapa, Surigao del Norte

PHIVOLCS said damage and aftershocks are expected following the quake.

Meanwhile, Joseph Randy Loy of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said they are still gathering information from the field especially in New Bataan.

He said they did not receive any reports yet on the damage caused by the quake from local government units.

"We are assisting mga patients from our hospitals kasi kailangan naming i-assess ang integrity ng mga building so ongoing po ito sa ilang buildings natin,” Loy said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB on Wednesday.—LDF/BAP, GMA Integrated News