AN OFFSHORE tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 rocked Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental Thursday evening, February 6, but an official said that no damage was recorded.
Based on the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Earthquake Information Number 1, the tremor struck at 9:40 p.m. of February 6 with the epicenter located at 85 kilometers southeast of Jose Abad Santos.
Franz Irag, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Davao operations officer, said their office did not receive information on losses near the area where it originated.
Also, residents in Jose Abad Santos said they only felt minimal shaking.
Irag said that on a daily basis, Jose Abad Santos has been experiencing shaking considering that there is an existing trench that caused the earthquake.
Several aftershocks were recorded by Phivolcs as aftermath, but there was also no tsunami warning issued.
"Mas okay gani naa tay ma-experience kada adlaw para mahinay-hinay ug release ang energy dira (It is okay to experience earthquake daily so the energy will be gradually released)," Irag said.
The movement was also felt in the neighboring provinces.
Phivolcs reported Intensity 3 in Davao City; General Santos City; and Alabel, Sarangani; Intensity 2 in Magsaysay, Davao Del Sur; Instrumental Intensity 4 in Malungon, Sarangani; Instrumental Intensity 3 in Alabel, Sarangani; Instrumental Intensity 2 in General Santos City; Koronadal City and Tupi, South Cotabato; and Instrumental Intensity 1 in Kidapawan City.
In the last quarter of 2019, a string of massive earthquake shook Davao region. The latest happened in December when a 6.9-magnitude eartquake struck.
The epicenter of the strong tremor was located in Matanao, Davao del Sur. The magnitude has caused structural damage and deaths.
The Philippines lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire and surrounded by numerous active faults and trenches on both sides of the archipelago. This explains why the country has been experiencing a series of earthquakes.