More Aftershocks Possible from Batangas Quake

Government is expecting more aftershocks from the magnitude 5.5 earthquake that struck waters off Batangas province Tuesday night (April 4).

“The offshore earthquake was strong and occurred at a shallow depth only so we can expect further aftershocks in forthcoming days,” said Erlington Olivare, science research specialist at Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

He said as of 4:24 a.m. Wednesday (April 5), Phivolcs already recorded 33 aftershocks from the earthquake.

“Those aftershocks were mainly spread out between Tingloy and Mabini areas,” he noted.

Citing latest Phivolcs data, Olivare said Tuesday’s 8:58 p.m. earthquake of tectonic origin struck 7.0 kms north 37° west of Batangas’ Tingloy municipality at a depth of 3.0 kms.

He said damage is possible from the earthquake.

“We already began receiving unconfirmed reports some debris fell from a structure in Taal,” he noted.

Earlier, Phivolcs reported the earthquake at 6.0 kms north 56° east of Tingloy and occurring at a depth of 5.0 kms.

Phivolcs also said the earthquake was initially reported at intensity V in Batangas City, Malvar and Calatagan in Batangas; intensity IV in Makati City, Obando in Bulacan province, Imus and Indang in Cavite province, Calamba in Laguna province, Sta. Ana in Manila, Valenzuela City and Tagaytay City as well as intensity III in Mandaluyong City, Quezon City, Pasay City as well as Gen. Trias andDasmariñas in Cavite.

The earthquake was also initially reported at intensity II in Talisay, Batangas and Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro, Phivolcs added. (PNA) CATHERINE J. TEVES