Magnitude 6 earthquake hits southern Philippines, near Duterte’s home city

THE PHILIPPINES – A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Mindanao island in southern Philippines on Wednesday, the US Geological Service said.

There were no immediate reports of major damages or casualties.

Photos and videos on social media showed people evacuating shopping malls and a university to open spaces in the city, while lights hanging in a church swayed.

“It was quick and lasted for 15 to 20 seconds,” said Police Corporal Lucita Ambrocio, who is based in the nearby town of New Bataan

“After 10 minutes, our colleagues went back to the building,” said Cpl Ambrocio, who raced outside with her colleagues when the police station started shaking. “I checked the premises, and I saw a small crack in the barracks.” 

The quake struck at 6.44pm at a depth of 2km in Monkayao town in Davao de Oro province.

Staff Sergeant Harvey Asayas of the Monkayo police told AFP the quake was strong in the beginning but gradually weakened and stopped after 40 seconds.

But it was felt in Davao City, hometown of former president Rodrigo Duterte, the region’s civil disaster agency said on Facebook.

In Montevista town, Ms Maricar Melgar said the quake was so strong she feared the building she was in would collapse. 

“This was probably the strongest earthquake I experienced. My body is still shaking,” the 51-year-old said. 

In Tagum city, in Davao del Norte province, about 40km south-west of the epicentre, residents fled their homes and power was knocked out by the force of the quake. 

“We were eating when (the house) began to shake – it was strong,” said Ms Grace Jao, 40. “We ran outside – we had to take safety measures. We did not see any damage inside the house when we got back.” 

Damages and aftershocks were expected, the country’s seismology agency said in a report.

The Philippines is prone to natural disasters and is located on the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a band of volcanoes and fault lines that arcs round the edge of the Pacific Ocean, causing frequent earthquakes.

The last major quake was in October in northern Philippines. The 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit the mountain town of Dolores in Abra province, injuring several people, damaging buildings and cutting power to most of the region. 

A magnitude 7.0 quake in mountainous Abra last July triggered landslides and ground fissures, killing 11 people and injuring several hundred.  REUTERS, AFP