'Strong' quake jolts Masbate

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 4.5 earthquake shook the province of Masbate and nearby areas on Saturday.

The epicenter was located 20 kilometers east of Masbate City at 12:50 p.m. and had a depth of 15 kilometers.

Intensity 5 shakes were felt in Masbate City, characterized by the state volcanology bureau Phivolcs as "generally felt by most people indoors and outdoors."

No aftershocks are expected and no damage to structures was reported.

Irosin in Sorsogon and San Jacinto in Ticao, meanwhile, experienced Intensity 4 ground movements.

Masbate's Baleno town experienced Intensity 3 shaking, while Uson town and Legaspi City felt Intensity 2 tremors.

Cabid-an, Sorsogon was affected by Intensity 1 shaking, which was "scarcely perceptible."