A MAGNITUDE 5.1 earthquake hit Batangas yesterday morning with shaking felt as far as Metro Manila, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
Phivolcs said the quake occurred at 12:43 a.m. Its epicenter was some 2 km southwest of Calaca City in Batangas. It was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 10 km.
Phivolcs said it was expecting damage from the quake, adding aftershocks are also expected.
In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo, Office of Civil Defense-Calabarzon spokesperson Reyan Derrick Marquez said they have yet to monitor any damage caused by the quake.
Nevertheless, Marquez said, infrastructure and buildings are being assessed.
Phivolcs said the shaking was felt at Intensity V (strong) in Calaca City; Intensity IV (moderately strong) in Alitagtag and Cuenca towns in Batangas, and Tagaytay City in Cavite; and Intensity III (weak) in Quezon City, Sta Rosa City in Laguna, and Puerto Galera town in Oriental Mindoro. Makati City, Malabon City, Hermosa town in Bataan, Cainta town in Rizal, and Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro felt it at Intensity II (slightly felt) while Biñan, Cabuyao and San Pedro cities in Laguna, and Baco town in Oriental Mindoro felt it at Intensity I (scarcely perceptible).
