Phivolcs expects aftershocks, damages after magnitude 7.2 hits Saranggani, DavOcc

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology is expecting damages and aftershocks after recording a magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Saranggani, Davao Occidental on Friday afternoon.

In its earthquake bulletin, Phivolcs said the tremor struck at 4:14 p.m. with the epicenter tracked at 05.37°N, 125.15°E east, about 10 kilometers offshore Davao Occidental province.

Phivolcs recorded Instrument Intensity 8 in Glan Municipality, Sarangani and General Santos City, South Cotabato; Intensity 5 in Matanao, Davao del Sur Maasim, Malapatan, SARANGANI; Lake Sebu, Tampakan, Polomolok, Banga, South Cotabato; Intensity 4 in Kidapawan City, COTABATO; Magsaysay, Davao City, Davao del Sur; Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental; Kiamba, Maitum, Saranggani; Norala, Tantangan, South Cotabato; President Quirino, Lebak, Isulan, Esperanza, Columbio, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.

The Office of the Civil Defense said it is now evaluating the damages in the affected places as of this press time.

OCD administrator Ariel Nepomuceno, also the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director, said the tsunami alert is not yet hoisted amid the strong earthquake.

"We are still waiting for an official report regarding the possible casualties and damages," Nepomuceno told reporters.

Meanwhile, NDRRMC spokesperson, Edgar Posadas, said they are now coordinating with the OCD's regional offices and local government units in Davao Occidental, Soccksargen, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Posadas said no major incidents like collapsed buildings, have so far been reported but evaluation and assessment of the impacts of the earthquake are still ongoing.

"There were reported power outages in Region 12 and some damages in the General Santos airport," he added.