3 quakes rattle parts of Luzon, the Visayas

Three tectonic earthquakes rocked parts of Luzon and the Visayas yesterday, but there were no immediate reports of damage, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs director Dr. Renato Solidum said a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck at 95 kilometers northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar at 1:22 p.m.

It was felt at Intensity 4 in Oras and Can-avid towns, Intensity 3 in Borongan and Catarman, Northern Samar and Intensity 2 in Irosin, Sorsogon and Tacloban, Leyte.

Solidum said small aftershocks were expected but might not be felt.

At 1:54 p.m. yesterday, another quake of magnitude 3.1 struck at 26 kms southeast of Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

It was felt at Intensity 3 in Pasuquin town and Laoag City, both in Ilocos Norte, and Intensity 2 in Sinait, Ilocos Sur.

Early in the day, a magnitude 3.9 tremor also rattled parts of Ilocos Sur.

The quake hit at 11:57 a.m. with its epicenter traced at 43 kms northwest of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Solidum said.

The temblor was felt at Intensity 3 in Sto. Domingo and Intensity 2 in Abra and Sinait, all in Ilocos Sur. – Helen Flores