M5.1 quake shakes Cebu, triggers panic

CEBU, Philippines — A magnitude 5.1 earthquake jolted parts of Cebu on Monday afternoon, triggering panic among residents—particularly in northern Cebu, where communities are still recovering from the deadly quake in September last year that left 79 people dead and several others injured.

Engr. Robinson Jorgio, Science Research Specialist and Officer-in-Charge of the DOST–PHIVOLCS Visayas Cluster Monitoring Center for Earthquake and Tsunami (PVCMCET), said the tremor was initially recorded at magnitude 5.4 but was later downgraded to 5.1 after further analysis.

“Gi-adjust na siya after mas daghang data gikan sa among instruments ang na-integrate. Mao nang gikan sa 5.4, nahimong 5.1,” Jorgio said.

He explained that the earthquake had a shallow depth of about 10 to 11 kilometers, making the shaking more strongly felt.

“Mabaw siya, mga 10 to 11 kilometers ang depth, mao nga nabati gyud,” he added.

Despite being widely felt, Jorgio clarified that earthquakes of this magnitude are not typically expected to cause structural damage.

“Kung magnitude 5 pa ubos, kasagaran wala gyud na damage sa mga building. Basin naay mahulog nga butang, pero dili siya makaguba og istraktura,” he said.

Initial monitoring recorded around 10 aftershocks, although PHIVOLCS continues to validate the data due to intermittent connectivity from monitoring stations.

“Padayon pa among monitoring. Basin mudaghan pa na siya, pero amo pang gi-validate ang records,” Jorgio added.

The tremor reportedly lasted around 30 seconds, although PHIVOLCS noted that duration may vary depending on the seismic waves detected.

PHIVOLCS said the earthquake struck at 3:22 p.m., with its epicenter initially located about 17 kilometers southeast of Bogo City at a depth of 10 kilometers. In a later update, the agency revised the magnitude to 5.1, with a depth of 11 kilometers and an adjusted location of about 12 kilometers southeast of the city. The quake was classified as tectonic in origin.

Instrumental Intensity V, classified as strong shaking, was recorded in Bogo City and Medellin, Cebu. Intensity IV was logged in San Francisco, Cebu, as well as in Hilongos and Villaba in Leyte.

Intensity III was felt in several areas, including Liloan, Talisay City, Cebu City, and Lapu-Lapu City, as well as in Ormoc City, Baybay City, Carigara, Isabel, and Abuyog in Leyte. The tremor was also reported in Esperanza, Masbate, and Hinundayan in Southern Leyte.

Meanwhile, Intensity II was recorded in a wider area, including Iloilo City, Roxas City in Capiz, and several towns across Cebu, Leyte, Biliran, Negros Occidental, and Southern Leyte. Intensity I, the weakest level, was reported in Passi City in Iloilo, Borongan City in Eastern Samar, and Bacolod City in Negros Occidental.

Despite the strength of the tremor, the Bogo City Government assured residents that the situation remains under control, with no major structural damage reported and only minor injuries recorded.

In an official statement, Mayor Maria Cielo Asas Martinez said the local government is closely monitoring developments.

“The City Government of Bogo wishes to assure the public that we are closely monitoring the situation following the tremor experienced earlier today,” she said.

Authorities confirmed that no structural damage has been recorded in the city, although some residents sustained minor injuries, which were immediately attended to by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and emergency responders.

City Public Information Officer Jeany Eve Ynot said local officials, led by the mayor, immediately engaged with residents to address concerns and provide reassurance.

“The mayor went live to check on constituents, answer their questions, and assure them that we are monitoring the situation,” Ynot said.

She added that the city government also worked to calm families outside Bogo who were concerned about their relatives.

“There were no major damages and no major injuries reported,” she said.

Ynot noted that most incidents were caused by panic during evacuation.

“Some residents sustained scratches after tripping while running, one stepped on a sharp object after going out without footwear, and three persons fainted due to panic and were immediately attended by the DRRMO,” she said.

Mayor Martinez urged the public to remain calm but vigilant and to rely only on verified information.

“At this time, we call on everyone to remain calm, vigilant, and discerning. We want to reassure all Bogohanons that your local government is fully alert, responsive, and committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities,” she said.

Response teams continue to coordinate with barangay officials and relevant agencies to monitor developments and address emerging concerns.

In Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival, who is currently abroad on personal leave, also assured residents of the city’s readiness.

In a statement released minutes after the tremor, Archival said he was “closely monitoring the situation and in constant coordination with our CCDRRMO and concerned agencies to ensure that all necessary actions are being taken.”

His statement sought to calm residents after Cebu City experienced Intensity III shaking, which prompted the immediate suspension of work at City Hall.

Archival added that Acting Mayor Tomas Osmeña is “on top of the situation and actively overseeing efforts on the ground,” ensuring that monitoring teams are deployed to inspect structures and assess risks.

Aside from the suspension of work at City Hall, several schools across Cebu City also dismissed classes early as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff while structural assessments were conducted.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that power transmission services in Cebu remained stable following the earthquake.

“The grid remains intact as there had been no reported cases of power interruptions and damaged transmission facilities in Cebu Province and nearby areas where the earthquake was felt,” NGCP said.

Residents across Cebu shared scenes of precautionary evacuations shortly after the tremor. Patients at the provincial hospital in Bogo City were brought outside, while grocery items were seen scattered across store aisles, with some bottles broken.

Students and staff from several institutions, including the University of San Carlos Downtown Campus and Cebu Technological University (CTU) Main Campus, evacuated buildings and gathered in open areas.

In Metro Cebu, office workers, including those in Cebu IT Park, were also seen moving outdoors as a safety precaution.

A local bank in Bogo City reportedly sustained minor damage, although no major structural impacts were confirmed.

Bogo City has experienced seismic activity in the past. In September last year, an earthquake also struck Cebu, with Bogo identified as the epicenter—highlighting the province’s vulnerability to tremors due to nearby fault systems.

Authorities reiterated the importance of preparedness and urged residents to remain alert for possible aftershocks while following earthquake safety protocols.— Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (FREEMAN)