APD | Stronger earthquake rocks central Philippines

By APD writer Melo M. Acuña

**MANILA, April 23 (APD) ** – A stronger earthquake shook Central Philippines today some 19 kilometers west of San Julian, Eastern Samar at 1:37 P.M. today.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), it was of tectonic origin and occurred 17 kilometers below the surface. This comes after the 6.1 earthquake which cause deaths and injuries to Central Luzon residents.

PHIVOLCS reported the earthquake was felt at Intensity V in Tacloban City in Leyte Province and in Catbalogan, Western Samar. They also monitored the quake in Masbate, Legazpi and Sorsogon Cities at Intensity IV.

The staircase moved and created a gap with the floor as a 6.2 Magnitude earthquake shook Eastern Samar in Central Philippines at 1:37 P.M. today. (Contributed Photos/Ofelia Magno Rodeles)

The earthquake is enough to generate damage to infrastructure and may cause aftershocks.

Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez, in a telephone interview said the earthquake was strong enough to be felt at his residence.

“Bottles of mass wines fell from the shelves and broke,” he said. He assured this writer they would monitor the impact of the earthquake in his immediate area in Eastern Samar which faces the vast Pacific Ocean.

Ofelia Magno Rodeles, media officer of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the earthquake was “super strong” that she fell dizzy.

“Our house would need a major repair because it showed cracks its walls while the staircase to the second floor seems to give way,” she said.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)