Phivolcs: No scientific basis for July 18 quake text

MANILA, Philippines - A day after a quake rocked parts of Luzon Sunday night, state seismologists sought Monday to allay fears of a massive earthquake on July 18, as claimed by a "prophecy" circulating via email and text messages. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum Jr said that while it does not hurt to be prepared, there is no scientific basis for such prophecies. "Di po iyan prediction kasi wala yang scientific basis. Ito ay sinasabing prophecy o hula. Kahit sinong organization sa buong mundo walang kakayanan na makapagsabing exact magnitude at exact araw (The message circulating via email and text is not a prediction, it has no scientific basis. It is a prophecy that anyone can make)," Solidum said in an interview on dwIZ radio. He said that to date, there is no organization in the world that can predict the exact date, time and magnitude of an earthquake. Solidum was referring to the email and text messages claiming a magnitude-8 quake will hit the Philippines on July 18. The messages had been circulating since last week. According to the messages, the "prophecy" came from a supposed Brazilian psychic named Jucelino Nóbrega da Luz. "Dapat tanungin kung totoo ang taong nagsulat. Napakaraming sinabi na event na nangyari pero walang katibayan (First of all we should ask if the supposed psychic exists. There are a lot of supposed prophecies that did not come to pass)," Solidum said. On the other hand, he said people should prepare for quakes by holding drills while authorities make sure buildings are safe. - GMANews.TV