Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 15) — A magnitude 6.3 earthquake jolted Calatagan, Batangas on Thursday morning, state seismologists reported.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the tremor of tectonic origin hit 15 kilometers west of Calatagan at 10:19 a.m. It had a depth of 119 km.
Phivolcs initially reported the magnitude at 6.2 before elevating it later to 6.3
State seismologists reported the following intensities:
Intensity IV – City of Manila; Mandaluyong; Quezon City; Valenzuela; Malolos, Bulacan; Batangas City, Ibaan, Lemery, Nasugbu, and Talisay, Batangas; Dasmariñas and Tagaytay, Cavite; Tanay, Rizal.
Intensity III – Pateros; Las Piñas; Makati; Marikina; Parañaque; Pasig; Obando, Bulacan; Laurel, Batangas; Bacoor and Imus, Cavite; San Pablo and San Pedro, Laguna; San Mateo, Rizal.
Intensity II – Caloocan; City of San Juan; Muntinlupa; San Fernando, La Union; Alaminos, and Bolinao, Pangasinan; Santa Maria, Bulacan; Bamban, Tarlac.
Intensity I – San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan
Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol explained that the temblor originated from Manila Trench, but he assured that it is impossible to generate a tsunami because of how deep the quake is.
\”The [deeper] the distance, the lower the energy will be felt,\” he told CNN Philippines.
Damage and aftershocks are expected, Phivolcs said.
There are no reports of major damage or casualties. Meanwhile, Phivolcs has logged four aftershocks, with the magnitude ranging from 1.5 to 3.1 as of 4 p.m.
In an advisory, the Batangas Public Information Agency said Phivolcs is anticipating more aftershocks over the next three to seven days, but is not expecting tsunami.
Classes and work in government offices in some areas were suspended due to the quake. [LINK: Classes suspended in Calatagan after magnitude 6.3 earthquake]
Operations at the LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3, and Philippine National Railways were also halted for safety inspections. These have since resumed.
While the Department of Transportation said cracks were observed in the MRT-3 Boni Station and Ayala Station, Assistant Secretary Jorjette Aquino assured commuters that these will not cause danger. She said she directed the MRT-3 management to conduct a more in-depth examination as a precautionary measure.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines also said that based on initial assessment, airports near the quake’s epicenter are safe.
