Mild quakes jolt Vigan, Surigao

Two mild earthquakes shook parts of northern and southern Philippines yesterday morning but caused no damage and casualties, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

A 5.4 magnitude tectonic quake first jolted some parts of the Ilocos region and the provinces of Abra and Benguet at around 2:27 a.m. It was centered 46 kilometers southwest of Vigan in Ilocos Sur.

The quake was felt at intensity four in Vigan City, Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur and Bangued, Abra; intensity three in Sinait, Ilocos Sur, Laoag and Baguio City; and intensity one in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.

The second quake of magnitude 4.2 struck 36 kilometers southeast of Surigao City at 11:04 a.m. The tremor was felt at intensity 2 in Butuan City.

Phivolcs said the quakes did not generate aftershocks. – With Jun Elias