5 quakes jolt parts of Luzon, Visayas

MANILA, Philippines - Five earthquakes yesterday rocked parts of Luzon and the Visayas but there were no reports of damage or injuries, state seismologists said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the first tremor occurred at 4:30 a.m. with its epicenter traced at 25 kilometers northeast of San Julian, Eastern Samar, and was felt at Intensity 2 in Sulat town.

The second quake, measuring magnitude 2.1, happened at 11:33 a.m. and was centered eight kms northeast of Talisay, Batangas. It was felt at Intensity 2 in Lipa and Tanauan cities.

Another quake, measuring magnitude 4.3, occurred at 12:26 p.m. with its epicenter 13 kms northeast of Borongan. It was felt at Intensity 5 in Borongan City and Intensity 3 in San Policarpo and Oras towns in Eastern Samar, and Tacloban City.

A magnitude 5.0 quake was recorded at 12:30 p.m. with its epicenter traced at 38 kms northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar.

The tremor was felt at Intensity 5 in Borongan and Tacloban cities, and Intensity 4 in San Policarpo and Mercedes towns in Eastern Samar and Pastrana, Leyte.

The epicenter of the fifth quake, measuring magnitude 4.6, was located at 13 kms northeast of Borongan.

It was felt at Intensity 5 in Borongan; Intensity 4 in Tacloban, Pastrana and Mercedes, and Intensity 3 in San Policarpo.

Phivolcs said no damage but aftershocks were expected from the tremors.