2 mild tremors jolt parts of South

Two mild tectonic quakes rattled parts of Mindanao yesterday, but there were no reports of damage or casualties, authorities said.

The tremors occurred at 11:52 a.m. and 12:43 p.m. with their epicenter located 85 kilometers southwest of Cotabato City, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said the first quake with a magnitude of 4.8 was felt at Intensity 2 in Davao City and Intensity 1 in General Santos City, and the second, with 5.2 magnitude, was felt at Intensity 3 in Davao City.

A movement of the Philippine fault caused the tremors, Phivolcs said, adding that there were no recorded aftershocks.

On Tuesday, a 4.4 magnitude quake shook Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The country sits on the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire" where continental plates meet, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

Some 20 quakes hit the country every day but only few are felt, Phivolcs said. — Helen Flores