A 5.5-magnitude earthquake jolted Davao del Sur on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 19, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs said the quake struck 6 kilometers (km) southwest of Matanao, Davao del Sur at 4:05 p.m.
It said the earthquake was felt at Intensity IV (moderately strong) in Davao City and General Santos City.
Phivolcs’ instruments also recorded the tremor at Intensity V in Kidapawan City in Cotabato and Koronadal City and Norala in South Cotabato.
It was also detected at Intensity IV in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental; Alabel, Sarangani; Tampakan, Tantangan, Tupi, General Santos City, South Cotabato; and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat; and Intensity III in Libona, Bukidnon; Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; Maasim, Kiamba, and Malapatan, Sarangani; and Santo Nino, Polomolok, Suralla, and T'Boli, South Cotabato.
Phivolcs also recorded the quake at Intensity II in Alamada, Cotabato; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; Maitum, Sarangani; and Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; and Intensity I in Malaybalay City and Cagayan de Oro City.
The earthquake was tectonic, which means it was caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.
Phivolcs advised the public to stay vigilant as aftershocks may occur.