Powerful quake rocks Masbate

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Masbate province and other areas in Bicol and the Visayas yesterday morning, killing a retired police officer while injuring 24 others, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The temblor occurred at 8:03 a.m. and was centered seven kilometers southeast of Cataingan, where it was felt at Intensity 7, which is classified by Phivolcs as “destructive.”

Masbate local government spokesman Nonielon Bagalihog identified the first reported fatality as Gilbert Sauro, 63, a retired police colonel, whose house collapsed during the strong shaking in Sitio Alimango, Barangay Concepcion in Cataingan town, Masbate, where the epicenter of the temblor was traced.

Quoting responders’ reports, Bagalihog said Sauro was hit by a steel beam and concrete pavement when his three-story residence collapsed.

“We believe that members of his family managed to get out of the house before it totally collapsed. Then, Gilbert was left inside,” Bagalihog told local reporters in a briefing.

Sauro died at a hospital from injuries he sustained from being hit by debris, according to Bicol police spokesperson Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib.

Another victim identified as Ronalyn Condrillon, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, was injured after the quake damaged several houses and structures, including old and new Cataingan public market and the Cataingan police station.

Another house owned by a certain Sariy Seduco also collapsed. No one was reported hurt there.

Bagalihog confirmed that the most affected towns in the Third District of Masbate were Cataingan, Palanas, Placer and Pio V. Corpuz.

In Cataingan, Bagalihog said the building of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) was damaged and the road leading to the town port cracked, while a bridge was also fractured in the adjacent Palanas town.

Palanas action officer Chris-Jo Adigue said that at least 21 people were injured in his town, while three more were reported to have suffered bruises in nearby Pio V. Corpuz town.

Another building was also damaged in Placer town.

Bagalihog said the provincial government is preparing first aid kits, medical supplies, rescue vehicles and hospitals for their massive search and rescue operations.

He added that more areas have yet to be reached by the different search and rescue teams.

The temblor was also felt at Intensity 5 or strong in Masbate City, Masbate; Almagro and Tagapul-an in Samar province.

Intensity 4 was felt in Palanas and San Jacinto, Masbate; Sorsogon City, Sorsogon; Legazpi City, Albay; San Andres, Quezon; Mapanas and Palapag, Northern Samar; Barugo, Dagami, Dulag, Julita, La Paz, Palo and Tanauan, Leyte; and Sagay City, Negros Occidental; Roxas City, Capiz; and Naval, Biliran.

Intensity 3 was recorded in Baybay City, Isabel, Javier and Kananga, Leyte; Ormoc City; Mulanay, Quezon; Iloilo City; Bago City, Negros Occidental; Malinao, Aklan; and Jamidan, Capiz.

Intensity 2 was felt in Guinayangan, Gumaca and Lopez, Quezon; President Roxas, Capiz; Patnongon, Patnongon, San Jose de Buenavista and Tibiao, Antique; Sipalay City; Negros Occidental; Valderrama, Antique; Sipocot, Camarines Sur; Talibon, Bohol; and San Francisco, Cebu.

Intensity 1 was recorded in Lezo, Aklan and Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

The quake also left major damage in roads, and disrupted communication lines, according to local officials.

Science Undersecretary and Phivolcs office-in-charge Renato Solidum Jr. said strong aftershocks are possible but “are likely to be significantly felt in the areas near the epicenter.”

“Damaged houses and buildings must be inspected and evaluated if (these) can still be used. Strong aftershocks may add on to the damage,” Solidum said in a text message to The STAR.

He estimated the aftershocks to be between magnitudes 6 and 7, quoting historical accounts of earthquakes that hit Masbate since 1990s.

The Phivolcs chief said the quake was caused by movement along the Philippine Fault Zone-Masbate segment.

“But the movement is not up and down, but sideward or horizontal… This is a unique fault,” Solidum said. – Emmanuel Tupas, Robertzon Ramirez, Christina Mendez, Michael Punongbayan, Rudy Santos, Catherine Talavera