Magnitude 5.8 quake rocks Bicol provinces

A "moderately strong" earthquake rocked parts of Bicol region Friday night, with state seismologists warning of "possible" damage and aftershocks.Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum Jr. said the quake was recorded at 6:35 p.m. and was felt in Albay, Sorsogon and Catanduanes provinces in Bicol; and in the Visayas."Ginagawa ng disaster management sa Bicol kung may effects ang lindol (Disaster management officials in Bicol are now inspecting structures for possible damage)," Solidum told dzBB radio.He said it is also possible that aftershocks may take place, but said a tsunami is unlikely, as there was no "change" monitored in nearby waters.Initial information showed the quake measured magnitude 5.8 with the epicenter south of Catanduanes. and east of Albay and Sorsogon.The quake was felt at Intensity VI in Legazpi City and in Virac, Catanduanes; Intensity V at Sorsogon City and Irosin town in Sorsogon; Intensity III in Naga City and Bulan town in Sorsgon.In the Visayas, Solidum said the quake was felt at Intensity III in Masbate and Roxas City; and at Intensity II in Silay, Negros Occidental.When asked about the possibility of some structures sustaining damage, he said, "posible kung ang structure ay mahina o luma pwede magkaroon ng minor damages yan (Minor damage is possible if the structure is old or weak)."Bella Tubianosa, resident volcanologist of Phivolcs in Sorsogon City, said the earthquake's epicenter was located at 42 kilometers northeast of Sorsogon City with coordinates 13.10 north and 124.36 east with a depth of 15 kilometers.The quake reached intensity 6 in Legaspi City and Virac, Catanduanes, Intensity 5 in Sorsogon City, Intensity 3 in Naga City, Roxas City and Masbate City and Intensity 2 in Silay City.Brownouts were also reported in some areas in Sorsogon but power supply was resrtored immediately. - GMANews.TV