Phivolcs: Stay calm but ready

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

AN OFFICIAL of the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Zamboanga City office has advised the public to “stay calm but ready.”

Phivolcs Zamboanga City officer Allan Labayog issued the advice Tuesday in the wake of a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit the Visayas region killing several people while scores remain missing.

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Monday's quake was caused by movement in an undersea fault 44 miles (72 kilometers) north of Dumaguete, capital of Negros Oriental province, and about 400 miles (650 kilometers) southeast of the nation's capital, Manila. It hit at a depth of 29 miles (46 kilometers).

Labayog said the people should be prepared physically and mentally at all times and should not immediately believe in text scare.

He added that people in some of the affected areas panicked and ran towards high ground when text about tsunami warning circulated.

“When in doubt, contact only authorized or reliable agency who can give accurate information,” Labayog said.

“Aftershocks are expected to be felt in the coming days,” he added, citing that as of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday they have recorded 734 aftershocks.