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Palace appeals for calm on eve of supposed magnitude 8 quake


MANILA, Philippines - On the eve of a supposed magnitude-8 quake "predicted" by a Brazilian psychic, Malacañang reiterated its appeal to the public Thursday to remain calm saying such occurrence cannot be scientifically predicted. In a radio interview, National Disaster Coordinating Council deputy administrator and deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez Jr said at this time, no scientific instrument can be used to predict an earthquake. Earlier, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum Jr had dismissed the prediction saying there is no scientific basis for the prediction that a magnitude-8 quake will occur this Friday. "Wala tayong makinarya para ma-predict ang lindol (We have no machinery that can predict when and where a quake will strike)," Golez said in an interview on dzXL radio. Golez, however, said it is also "good" that such predictions raised public consciousness on the need to remain prepared. "Ang lindol na ganyan mas maganda lagi silang takot, para laging handa ang kababayan natin (One good thing about such scares is that it keeps us on our toes)," Golez said. Earlier, Solidum encouraged quake drills while urging authorities to inspect buildings for structural damage. He also encouraged authorities to fine-tune their emergency response to earthquakes. "Nagkakaroon tayo ng earthquake drills (at kailangan ang) pagpapatibay ng gusali, iskwelahan at opisina (Authorities have been organizing earthquake drills. And we need to inspect buildings and schools for structural integrity)," Solidum said in an earlier interview on dwIZ radio. - GMANews.TV
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