Magnitude 4.7 earthquake strikes offshore Isabela

ISABELA — A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck offshore near Maconacon, Isabela, early Wednesday morning, triggering mild ground shaking across parts of northern Luzon but causing no immediate damage or casualties.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the shallow earthquake occurred at 4:45 a.m. at a depth of 10 kilometers, with its epicenter located 39 kilometers northeast of Maconacon.

Instrumental ground shaking was recorded in neighboring provinces, reaching Intensity III in Peñablanca, Cagayan, and Intensity I in Tabuk, Kalinga and Ilagan, Isabela.

State seismologists issued no tsunami warnings, though authorities advised coastal residents to monitor official bulletins for potential aftershocks.

Coinciding with the earthquake, the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines launched a joint disaster response drill in Metro Manila on Wednesday to test emergency operational readiness.

Dubbed Inter-Agency Exercise Sanlakas 02-2026, the three-day simulation tests command coordination, search and rescue capabilities, and emergency deployment procedures during a major earthquake along the West Valley Fault.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said that the exercise aligns with presidential directives to identify operational gaps before a major emergency occurs.

The drill opened at Pier 15 in Manila’s Port Area under Coast Guard leadership and will run through 2 October.