A MAGNITUDE 5.6 earthquake hit North Cotabato Tuesday evening, July 9, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

The Phivolcs said the quake, initially reported as magnitude 5.3., was tectonic in origin and occurred at 8:37 p.m., with the epicenter located eight kilometers (km) Southwest of Makilala, North Cotabato. It had a depth of five km.

The tremor was felt at:

Intensity 5 - Makilala, North Cotabato; Kidapawan City; Koronadal City; Santa Cruz, Davao Del Sur

Intensity 4 - Davao City; Polomolok, Tupi, Tampakan, Sto. Nino, Tacurong City & Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; Glan, Malungon, Sarangani

Intensity 3 - General Santos City; Kiamba, Sarangani

Intensity 2 - Cotabato City; Nabunturan, Compostela Valley

Also, instrumental intensities of Intensity 5 was felt in Kidapawan City.

Phivolcs said aftershocks are expected. (SunStar Philippines)