Two quakes hit Mindanao; Phivolcs warns of aftershocks

Two quakes measuring at least magnitude 5 rocked parts of Mindanao Tuesday afternoon, even as state seismologists warned of possible aftershocks. The United States Geological Survey said the first quake was recorded at 3:01 p.m., with the epicenter some 255 km southeast of General Santos City. It said the epicenter was also some 300 km south-southeast of Davao; 1,275 km south-southeast of Manila; or 2,535 km east-northeast of Jakarta, Indonesia. USGS said a second quake, this time measuring magnitude 5.2, was recorded at 3:33 p.m., with the epicenter about 85 km southwest of General Santos City. The second quake's epicenter was also 185 km south-southeast of Cotabato, 1,065 km south-southeast of Manila, or 2,355 km east-northeast of Jakarta. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology seismologist Ishmael Narag cited initial reports indicating the quake was felt at Intensity III in General Santos and Davao Cities. "We expect aftershocks especially if the quake measures at magnitude 5 or greater," Narag said in an interview on dzBB radio. He added they will monitor developments in the area for the next 24 hours. — LBG, GMANews.TV