Magnitude 5 earthquake hits North Cotabato

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) –  A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Kidapawan City in North Cotabato on Saturday, September 20, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in a bulletin.

As of 2:17 pm, Phivolcs recorded at least 17 tremors on Saturday in North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Davao Occidental but only 5 reported felt intensities.

Phivolcs said that at 12:26 pm Saturday, a magnitude 5 earthquake struck 14 kilometers southwest of Kidapawan City in North Cotabato, with a depth of 11 km.

Phivolcs recorded 10 earthquakes in North Cotabato as of 2:17 pm on Saturday, and of these, the only other ones with felt intensities were a 4.6-magnitude earthquake 6 km southeast of Makilala, a magnitude 4.7 earthquake 14 km southeast of Kidapawan City,  and a magnitude 2.8 quake 13 km south of Kidapawan City.

Intensity 4 was felt in Kidapawan and Makilala while Intensity 3 was felt in M’lang and Tulunan.  Intensity 2 was felt in Matalam and Antipas.

Phivolcs also said in a bulletin that at 7:18 am, a magnitude 3 earthquake was documented 9 km northeast of Columbio town in Sultan Kudarat.

There were other 3 other earthquakes recorded in Columbio, but had no reported felt intensities.

All incidents were tectonic in origin, Phivolcs said.

Phivolcs said no casualties were reported but aftershocks were expected in some areas in North Cotabato. 

Cynthia Ortega, Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council action officer of North Cotabato, said that 82 houses were damaged by the tremor in Makilala town, 15 of which were destroyed. (READ: Quake damages 82 houses, 1 church in N. Cotabato; 1 hurt)

Ortega also said a boy sustained minor bruises when he was hit by debris falling from their house. – Rappler.com