4.5 quake hits parts of Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - A magnitude 4.5 earthquake jolted parts of Cebu province early yesterday morning, although state seismologists said this was part of the expected series of tremors following the magnitude 7.2 quake that struck Central Visayas last month.

As of 8 a.m. yesterday, a total of 3,720 aftershocks have been recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) since the powerful quake that hit the region last Oct. 15, killing more than 200 people.

Phivolcs deputy director Bartolome Bautista said 109 of these aftershocks were reportedly felt.

Yesterday’s aftershock occurred 52 kilometers northeast of Tagbilaran City, Bohol at 5:37 a.m. and was felt at Intensity 4 in Mandaue City and Intensity 2 in Cebu City.

Phivolcs officials had warned of aftershocks that could last for months.