Magnitude 5.4 predawn quake hits Surigao

A predawn quake rocked parts of Surigao del Norte province on Friday, but state seismologists said no damage or casualty was reported. Radio dzBB reported that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake was recorded at 1:52 a.m. and measured magnitude 5.4 on the Richter Scale. Its epicenter was traced 66 kilometers from Tandag, Surigao del Norte. A separate report from the United States Geological Service (USGS) said the epicenter traced 80 kilometers east-southeast of Surigao, or 105 kilometers northeast of Butuan. In its advisory, Phivolcs said the quake was felt at Intensity IV in General Luna town, and at Intensity III in Surigao City and Dapa town. General Luna is a fifth-class town with a population of 12,347 while Surigao City is a second-class city with a population of 118,534. Dapa is a fifth-class town with a population of 19,508 people in 3,846 households. - GMANews.TV