Magnitude-5.1 earthquake hits parts of Visayas

MANILA, Philippines – Residents of Pastrana town in Leyte were jolted by magnitude-5.1 earthquake Friday morning, as state seismologists said they expect damages due to the tremor and warned of possible aftershocks. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the earthquake occurred at 6:44 a.m. and was felt at intensity 6 in Pastrana town, and was also felt at various intensities at parts of Leyte, Northern and Eastern Samar, and Cebu provinces. Phivolcs said that the quake, which was of tectonic origin, was felt at intensity 5 at Ormoc City and Palo in Leyte and at intensity 4 at La Paz , Dulag, and Abuyog, also in Leyte. Residents of Mahaplag town in Leyte, meanwhile, felt the tremor at intensity 3 while in Cebu City , Catarman town in Northern Samar, and Borongan, Eastern Samar, it was recorded at intensity 2. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV