Moderate quake hits Mindanao

DAVAO CITY – A moderate earthquake hit Southern Mindanao on New Year’s Eve although there was no reported damage or casualties, according to the Region XI Disaster Coordinating Council Office here.

It was the second consecutive New Year that an earthquake hit the area.

RDCC XI director Carmelito Lupo said the earthquake occurred at 7:29 p.m. Tuesday night and had a magnitude of 5.3, which was tectonic in origin and coming from the Davao Trench.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located 75 kilometers north and 88 kilometers east of General Santos City.

Lupo said the earthquake was felt strongest in the cities of General Santos, Koronadal Kidapawan and Davao City which all registered Intensity 4.0.

In Bislig City, it was an intensity 3.0 while Butuan and Cotabato cities experienced intensity 2.0. It was, however, at intensity 1 in the island of Camiguin.

"It was just ground shaking to signal the start of the New Year but there was really no damage or any casualties. We have been monitoring developments of any aftershock but so far there has been none," Lupo said. – Edith Regalado