Magnitude 5.9 quake strikes northeast of Occidental Mindoro

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck 18 kilometers northeast of Lubang, Occidental Mindoro Tuesday afternoon, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

The quake struck at 4:23 p.m., was tectonic in origin, and had a 60-kilometer depth of focus. 

The quake was felt at:

Intensity V

• Lubang, Occidental Mindoro;
• Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

Intensity IV

• City of Makati;
• Quezon City;
• City of Taguig;
• City of Malolos, City of Meycauayan, Obando, and Plaridel, Bulacan;
• Floridablanca, Pampanga;
• San Jose, Batangas; and
• City of Tagaytay, Cavite.

Intensity III

• City of Caloocan;
• City of Pasig;
• Cuenca,and Talisay, Batangas;
• Cities of Bacoor and General Trias, Cavite;
• Rodriguez, Rizal; and
• Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.

Intensity II

• City of Marikina;
• City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan;
• Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija;
• Lucban, Quezon;
• San Mateo, Rizal; and
• Odiongan, Romblon.

Intensity I

• City of San Fernando, Pampanga;
• City of San Pedro, Laguna; and
• Mauban, Quezon.

The quake was measured at Instrumental Intensities:

Intensity V

• Magallanes, and City of Tagaytay, Cavite;
• Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

Intensity IV

• City of Malabon;
• Guiguinto, and Pandi, Bulacan;
• Laurel, Lemery, and San Luis, Batangas; and
• City of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro

Intensity III

• Quezon City;
• Batangas City, Batangas

Intensity I

• Lucban, Quezon.

While PHIVOLCS did not expect any damage from the quake, the institute said aftershocks were likely.

MIAA, train operations

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said no damage was observed on the runway, taxi pavements, and terminal facilities of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after the earthquake.

The MIAA added that the quake would have no significant effect on flight operations.

Meanwhile, the quake caused a brief suspension of Metro Manila train operations at around 4:30 p.m.
 
The Manila Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), LRT-2, and Philippine National Railways (PNR) announced the temporary halting of services at around 4:30 p.m.

The MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 resumed normal operations at past 5 p.m.

Senate suspends session

Meanwhile, the Senate temporarily halted plenary sessions at around 4:20 p.m. due to the quake. 

Employees and senators evacuated following an emergency alarm, according to Mav Gonzales' report on "24 Oras."

"Medyo eye opener ito sa atin. Luma na po yung gusali ng Senado dito sa GSIS building. Importante yung safety ng mga empleyado," said Senator Bong Go.

(This is an eye opener for us. The building is old. Employees' safety is our priority.)

Go also said some superficial cracks were seen on the building.

The employees were allowed to return to the Senate building after an hour. The sessions resumed at around 6 p.m. — DVM, GMA Integrated News