Quakes jolt Batanes, Masbate

MANILA, Philippines — Quakes with magnitudes of 5.6 and 5.0 struck Batanes and Masbate, respectively, on Thursday night.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the epicenter of the quake in Batanes, which occurred at around 9:48 p.m., was recorded 33 kilometers north of Itbayat.

The temblor was tectonic in nature and had a depth of 15 kms.

The quake was felt at Intensity 3 in Itbayat, Intensity 2 in Basco and Mahatao and Intensity 1 in Ivana, all in Batanes.

Meanwhile, the epicenter of the quake that struck Masbate at around 11:26 p.m. was located 10 kms from Uson town.

Phivolcs said the quake was felt at Intensity 4, which is classified as moderately strong, in Uson.

The quake was felt at Intensity 3 in Masbate and Intensity 2 in Naval in Biliran and Leyte and Villaba towns in Leyte.

Instrumental Intensity 3 was recorded in Cataingan and Masbate City and Instrumental Intensity 2 in Aroroy, Batuan, Milagros and Monreal in Masbate; Kawayan in Biliran; Ormoc, Kananga, Leyte and Villaba in Leyte; Catbalogan and Gandara in Samar, and Bogo in Cebu.

Phivolcs said damage and aftershocks were expected from the quake.