Back-to-back quakes hit Luzon, Mindanao on Christmas day

MANILA, Philippines (Update 3, 10:53 a.m.) — Two major quakes struck the Philippines on Christmas day, with some residents in Luzon being awakened by a magnitude-6.3 tremor, while a magnitude-5.2 temblor hit waters off Sarangani, Davao Occidental.

The first and stronger quake that shook many parts of Luzon hit 15 kilometers west of Calatagan, Batangas at 7:43 a.m., according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

The second quake struck east of Sarangani, Davao Occidental and was only felt in Alabel and Kiamba towns in Sarangani, Koronadal City, and General Santos City.

Phivolcs expects aftershocks from both quakes, but is not expecting any damage.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said over radio DZBB that they are also not expecting the magnitude-6.3 quake to cause a tsunami.

Ronaldo Torres, Calatagan’s municipal disaster risk reduction management officer, said over radio DZBB that they have yet to receive reports of adverse effects due to the quake.

Strong shaking was felt in the following areas due to the magnitude-6.3 tremor:

• Calatagan, Batangas
• Balayan, Batangas
• Nasugbu, Batangas
• Batangas City
• Balayan, Batangas
• Calaca, Batangas
• San Luis, Batangas
• Tagaytay City
• Amadeo, Cavite
• Indang, Cavite
• Kawit, Cavite
• Alfonso, Cavite
• Lubang, Occidental Mindoro
• Looc, Occidental Mindoro
• Biñan, Laguna

Moderately strong shaking was felt in the following areas:

• Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro
• Paluan, Occidental Mindoro
• Taal, Batangas
• San Jose, Batangas
• San Pascual, Batangas
• Lemery, Batangas
• Malvar, Batangas
• Ibaan, Batangas
• Maragundon, Cavite
• Carmona, Cavite
• San Pedro, Laguna
• Manila
• Marikina City
• Quezon City
• Cainta, Rizal
• San Mateo, Rizal
• Antipolo City, Rizal
• Pasig City
• Las Piñas City
• Obando, Bulacan
• Malolos, Bulacan
• Meycauyan, Bulacan
• Subic, Zambales
• San Felipe, Zambales
• Alaminos, Pangasinan
• Santo Tomas, La Union
• City of Mabalacat, Pampanga

Weak shaking was reported in the following areas:

• Talisay, Batangas
• Santo Tomas, Batangas
• Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
• Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro
• Naujan, Oriental Mindoro
• San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro
• Calapan, Oriental Mindoro
• Caloocan City
• Tanay, Rizal
• San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan
• Plaridel, Bulacan
• San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
• Gapan City, Nueva Ecija
• Cabangan, Zambales
• Iba, Zambales
• Samal, Bataan
• Floridablanca, Pampanga
• Santa Ana, Pampanga
• Valenzuela City
• Malabon City

The quake was slightly felt in the following areas:

• San Isidro, Nueva Ecija
• Alaminos City, Pangasinan
• Lucban, Quezon
• Guinayangan, Quezon
• Doña Remedios, Trinidad

Meanwhile, it was scarcely perceptible in:

• Villasis, Pangasinan
• Lucena City, Quezon