383 aftershocks rock Mindanao

No power in Davao areas after magnitude 6.0 quake

MANILA, Philippines — Structures were damaged and several areas were left without power after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake rocked parts of Mindanao at around 6:44 p.m. on Wednesday.

At least 383 aftershocks with magnitudes of 1.3 to 3.6 have been recorded as of 2 p.m. yesterday.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the movement of the Philippine Fault could have caused the quake, the epicenter of which was located nine kilometers south of Compostela, Davao de Oro.

Phivolcs said the quake was felt at Intensity 5, which is classified as strong, in Compostela, Laak, Mabini, Maco, Maragusan, Mawab, Monkayo, Montevista, Nabunturan, New Bataan and Pantukan in Davao de Oro; Asuncion, Braulio E. Dujali, Carmen, New Corella, Sto. Tomas and Tagum in Davao del Norte, and Baganga, Banaybanay, Boston, Cateel and Lupon in  Davao Oriental.

The temblor was felt at Intensity 4 or moderately strong in Kapalong, Panabo City and Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte; Davao City; Caraga, Governor Generoso, Manay, Mati City, San Isidro and Tarragona in Davao Oriental, and Bislig in Surigao del Sur.

It was felt at Intensity 3 in Damulog, Kadingilan, Kalilangan, Libona, Pangantucan and Talakag in Bukidnon; Cagayan de Oro; San Isidro and Talaingod in Davao del Norte; Malungon, Sarangani; Tupi, South Cotabato, and Cagwait and Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur.

The Northern Davao Electric Cooperative said power supply was cut in parts of Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte to assess the extent of the damage in power lines and facilities.

Patients at the Montevista Provincial Hospital in Davao de Oro were evacuated to a sports complex to allow the local government to check the structural integrity of the hospital.

A house in Barangay Magsaysay reportedly collapsed due to the quake. The residents were declared safe.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Mawab, Davao de Oro reported cracks in the San Roque church, Mawab public library and Rural Health Unit birthing facility.

No tsunami alert was issued, but many residents along the shoreline in Maco, Davao de Oro evacuated their homes.

Davao de Oro Gov. Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga suspended classes in public and private schools and work in government offices in the province to assess the damage caused by the earthquake.

Classes were also suspended in Davao City, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte.

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines spokesman Eric Apolonio said no damage in the facilities in airports near the epicenter of the quake was reported.

US aids quake victims

The United States government vowed yesterday to provide assistance to quake victims.

During his courtesy call on President Marcos at Malacañang, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III said personnel from the US Agency for International Development (AID) went to the affected areas to provide assistance.

“We are very sorry to learn yesterday that there was an earthquake down in Mindanao. I’m relieved to hear from my team that the damage was not significant... We have not heard of significant injuries being reported as well but we know how these things develop,” Austin said.

“We stand ready to help in any way that we can. And again I thank our AID personnel in the area and they stand ready to help to provide humanitarian assistance when and where possible. So please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s a need,” he added. – Alexis Romero, Edith Regalado, Rudy Santos, Ralph Edwin Villanueva