OCCIDENTAL MINDORO / RankWire.AI / – The Philippines was jolted by a magnitude 5.4 quake near Occidental Mindoro on Friday morning, causing tremors felt across parts of Luzon and Metro Manila. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, or PHIVOLCS, recorded the event at 10:38 a.m. local time. The quake’s epicenter was located approximately 13 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, the provincial capital. It originated from tectonic movement and had a depth of about 14 kilometers.
Initially, officials reported a magnitude of 5.8, but subsequent analysis revised the figure to 5.4. PHIVOLCS warned that aftershocks might follow the main tremor, though their initial assessment did not anticipate any damage. Residents across Mindoro experienced noticeable shaking in the late morning hours, with weaker tremors reaching neighboring provinces. The capital region also felt the quake, despite being more than 100 kilometers away from the epicenter.
In Mamburao, Intensity 5 shaking was reported, as well as in several communities within Oriental Mindoro. Cities like Calapan, Naujan, Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, and Victoria experienced the same level of intensity. Taal in Batangas and the towns of Abra de Ilog and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro registered Intensity 4. Seismometers also recorded Intensity 5 in Mamburao and Puerto Galera. The strongest ground movements remained concentrated across Mindoro, where communities felt the most significant effects.
Shaking Extends into Metro Manila
The seismic activity extended into Metro Manila and regions farther north of Mindoro. Instruments measured Intensity 3 in Quezon City, Batangas City, Calapan City, and Victoria. Both General Trias in Cavite and San Pedro in Laguna also registered Intensity 3. Some residents in Manila evacuated buildings as a precaution during the shaking. Normal operations resumed once the tremor subsided, with authorities continuing to assess conditions across affected areas.
Lighter instrumental readings were recorded in other parts of Luzon. Parañaque City experienced Intensity 2, along with Santa Cruz in Laguna and Guinayangan in Quezon. Variations in seismic readings reflected differing ground movements across locations. The initial assessment found no significant structural damage. Monitoring persisted after the main earthquake as local authorities and seismic stations watched for potential aftershocks near Occidental Mindoro.
Official Magnitude Updated to 5.4 After Review
Following a review of initial seismic data, experts confirmed the quake’s magnitude at 5.4. The depth remained about 14 kilometers, with the epicenter located southwest of Mamburao. Communities across Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro experienced the strongest shaking. Weaker tremors were felt in Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Metro Manila. The range of intensity readings indicated that a wide area across Luzon was affected by the quake early Friday morning.
The Philippines frequently experiences seismic events due to multiple active tectonic boundaries surrounding and crossing the archipelago. Seismic stations nationwide continuously monitor these movements and update measurements as new data arrives. While Friday’s earthquake near Occidental Mindoro caused widespread shaking, initial assessments did not report significant damage. Authorities remain vigilant for aftershocks, and the official magnitude was confirmed at 5.4, replacing the earlier, higher preliminary reading.