MANILA - THE southern Philippines was rattled early on Monday by a strong aftershock of 5.3 magnitude, seismologists said, a day after a powerful quake hit the same area.

The aftershock was measured shortly after 5am, about 160km south-east of General Santos city, at a depth of 60km, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

On Sunday a powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck the same area off the coast of Mindanao island.

There was no tsunami alert on either occasion and no early reports of damage.

The archipelago nation sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire where continental plates meet, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity. -- AFP