Quakes jolt Mindanao anew

MANILA, Philippines — Two magnitude-5.9 earthquakes jolted parts of Mindanao yesterday afternoon, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Phivolcs said the first quake occurred at 2:02 p.m some eight kilometers east of New Bataan, Davao de Oro. It was initially registered at magnitude-6.2, but Phivolcs lowered it later to magnitude-5.9.

The second temblor occurred at 4:47 p.m. 33 kilometers west of New Bataan.

State seismologists said the temblors were part of a series of quakes caused by the movement of the Philippine Fault since Feb. 1.

The quakes were expected to generate aftershocks and cause damage to property.

On Monday, two quakes also hit Davao de Oro and damaged a road in Maragusan town.

The first quake yesterday was felt at Intensity 5 in Maco, Maragusan, Nabunturan, New Bataan and Pantukan in Davao de Oro and Intensity 4 in Monkayo in Davao de Oro, Tagum in Davao del Norte and Bislig in Surigao del Sur.