M5.3 earthquake hits off eastern Luzon; no tsunami, damage expected

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake was recorded off the coast of Quezon province at 9:43 p.m. Wednesday evening, according to state seismologists.

the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said that the quake’s epicenter is at east of Jomalig Island, Quezon.

According to DZBB Super Radyo’s tweet, Intensity III were recorded in Metro Manila and Quezon City and Intensity II were felt in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Ishmael Narag ng PHIVOLCS: Intensity III sa Metro Manila, sa Quezon City; Intensity II sa Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 3, 2014

PHIVOLCS director Renato Solidum also said in a phone interview on GMA News TV’s State of the Nation, “Hindi talaga sa Quezon Province ang epicenter kundi sa karagatan.”

However, he clarified that the earthquake is not that strong to create a tsunami.

“Hindi naman po ito ganoong kalakas, so wala po tayong inaasahang tsunami,” he said. “Pwede itong sundan ng aftershock, pero dahil nasa karagatan ito, malamang wala na tayong mararamdaman.”

“Wala po silang dapat ipag-alala. Wala pong posibilidad (ng tsunami). Mahina lang po ito. Sa ganitong intensity, wala tayong inaasahang damages,” he underscored.