Magnitude-6.3 quake shakes parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:58 a.m.) — A strong magnitude-6.3 tremor hit Calatagan town in Batangas on Thursday, jolting parts of Luzon including Metro Manila, with state seismologists expecting damage and aftershocks.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology earlier reported that the quake that struck at 10:19 a.m. was at magnitude-6.2, but later upgraded it to magnitude-6.3.

Amor Calayan, head of Batangas' disaster risk reduction and management office, said over radio DZRH that they are on their way to Calatagan to assess the impact of the quake, but added that there have not yet received reports of damage.

"Please do not panic because we at the province of Batangas, we are on the way to respond," Calayan said in Filipino.

In Metro Manila, there were also no immediate reports of damage, but the runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport was closed for inspection and the three major train lines crossing the megacity and nearby provinces temporarily stopped operations.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said over DZRH that the strong tremor possibly originated from the Manila Trench, considering that it struck at a depth of 103 kilometers.

While Bacolcol said an earthquake of this magnitude can cause damage to houses, less damage is expected considering the depth of the temblor.

He added that no tsunami is expected due to the quake.

Intensity IV, or moderately strong shaking, was reported in Manila, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Malolos City, Batangas City, the towns of Ibaan, Lemery, Nasugbu and Talisay in Batangas, Dasmariñas City, and Tagaytay City.

Weak shaking was reported in Pateros, Las Piñas, Makati, Marikina, Parañaque, Pasig, Obando town, Laurel town, Bacoor, Imus, San Pablo City, San Pedro City and the town of San Mateo in Rizal.

The quake was slightly felt in Caloocan, San Juan, Muntinlupa, San Fernando town in La Union, Alaminos City and Bolinao town in Pangasinan, Santa Maria town in Bulacan, and Bamban town in Tarlac.

Meanwhile, it was scarcely perceptible in San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan.