Mild quakes cause panic in typhoon-battered Davao Oriental

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Five mild earthquakes jolted the province of Davao Oriental and caused panic to some residents who are still shocked by the devastation of Typhoon Pablo (Bopha).

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that 4 quakes were recorded on Monday morning, December 10, and another one on Tuesday morning, December 11.

On Monday, the first incident, a magnitude 5.8 quake, struck at around 5:45 in the morning 34 kilometers Southeast of the town of San Isidro with a depth of 53 kilometers.

Intensity 4 was felt in San Isidro in Davao Oriental, Mati City and Davao City.

Intensity 3 was felt in Tagum City, Manay, Padada, Digos City and General Santos City.

Intensity 2 was felt in Bislig, Kidapawan City, Polomolok, Tupi, Koronadal, Tacurong, Matalam, Makilala, M’lang and Tulunan.

14 minutes after, a weaker magnitude 2.4 quake was recorded 24 kilometers of San Isidro with a depth of 32 kilometers.

At around 8:18 in the morning, a magnitude 3.5 earthquake was recorded 21 kilometers Southeast of San Isidro with a depth of 23 kilometers.

And at around 8:56 in the morning, a magnitude 1.7 quake was reported 20 kilometers Southeast of San Isidro.

On Tuesday morning, another magnitude 3.4 earthquake was recorded 10 kilometers Southwest of the town of Governor Generoso in the province.

Maria Theresa Obatonon, Cateel municipal local government operations officer of the Department of Interior and Local Government, said the first earthquake cause panic to some residents in the town.

“We jumped from the house we were presently staying because it was swaying. Typhoon Pablo already damaged 60% of that house. We thought the earthquake would totally damage the remaining structures in our town,” Obatonon said.

Cateel Mayor Camilo Nuñez said 99% of the infrastructures in the town were totally damaged by the typhoon. – Rappler.com