OCCIDENTAL MINDORO / RankWire.AI / – A quake measuring magnitude 5.4 struck near Occidental Mindoro early on Friday, causing tremors to be felt across parts of Luzon and Metro Manila. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, or PHIVOLCS, identified the event at 10:38 a.m. local time. Its epicenter was located approximately 13 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, the provincial capital. The seismic activity originated from tectonic movements at a depth of roughly 14 kilometers.
Initially, officials recorded the quake as magnitude 5.8 but later analysis lowered the figure to 5.4. PHIVOLCS warned that aftershocks might occur following the main event. The agency’s preliminary assessment suggested no expected damage. Residents in Mindoro experienced noticeable shaking during late morning hours, with milder tremors reaching neighboring provinces. Even parts of the capital region, more than 100 kilometers from the epicenter, felt the impact.
Mamburao experienced Intensity 5 shaking, along with multiple communities in Oriental Mindoro. Cities such as Calapan, Naujan, Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, and Victoria reported similar intensity levels. Intensity 4 was recorded in Taal, Batangas, and towns in Occidental Mindoro, including Abra de Ilog and Sablayan. Instruments also detected Intensity 5 readings in Mamburao and Puerto Galera. The strongest ground movements remained concentrated across Mindoro, where residents felt the most pronounced shaking.
Shaking extends into Metro Manila and northern provinces
The tremor was strong enough to be felt in Metro Manila and in several northern provinces. Seismic instruments registered Intensity 3 in Quezon City, Batangas City, Calapan City, and Victoria. Nearby areas like General Trias in Cavite and San Pedro in Laguna also recorded Intensity 3. Some residents in Manila evacuated buildings as a safety precaution during the shaking. After the tremor subsided, normal activities resumed, and authorities continued inspecting the affected areas.
Lesser seismic readings appeared in communities throughout Luzon. Parañaque City recorded Intensity 2, alongside Santa Cruz in Laguna and Guinayangan in Quezon. Variations in ground motion levels appeared across different locations, as shown by seismic measurements. Officials have not reported any major structural damage based on the initial assessment. Monitoring efforts persisted after the initial quake, with authorities and seismic stations on alert for potential aftershocks near Occidental Mindoro.
The official magnitude now confirmed at 5.4 after review
Following review of the initial seismic data, experts confirmed the earthquake’s magnitude as 5.4. The depth remained consistent at about 14 kilometers, with the epicenter located southwest of Mamburao. Communities in Occidental and Oriental Mindoro experienced the strongest shaking. Weaker tremors reached Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and parts of Metro Manila. The distribution of intensity readings indicated that a broad area across Luzon felt the tremor on Friday morning.
The Philippines frequently encounters earthquakes, as multiple active tectonic boundaries surround and traverse the archipelago. Seismic monitoring stations across the country continuously track events and update data as new information becomes available. Friday’s quake near Occidental Mindoro caused widespread shaking but initially showed no signs of significant damage. Authorities remain vigilant for aftershocks and continue to monitor the situation. The final official magnitude stands at 5.4, replacing the earlier, stronger preliminary figure.