Back-to-back earthquakes in Bicol and Eastern Visayas were recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Friday morning.
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck the southwestern side of Claveria, Masbate, at 8:28 AM.
Phivolcs reported that the earthquake was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 10 kilometers.
The tremor was felt at Intensity III in Legazpi City, Albay, while instrumental intensities were recorded in several areas, including Intensity II in Tabaco, Albay, Masbate, and Milagros, Masbate, and Intensity I in Iriga City, Ragay, and Tinambac in Camarines Sur, as well as Batuan, Masbate, and several towns in Quezon and Sorsogon.
Phivolcs stated that aftershocks could be expected, but the earthquake was not strong enough to cause significant damage.
Meanwhile, a stronger magnitude 5.2 earthquake was recorded in Hernani, Eastern Samar, at 9:18 AM.
The earthquake was felt at Intensity V in Balangkayan, Hernani, Llorente, and Maydolong in Eastern Samar, and at Intensity IV in multiple towns across the province, including Borongan City, Balangiga, General MacArthur, and Guiuan.
It was also recorded at Intensity III in various parts of Eastern Samar, Leyte, and Samar, and at Intensity II in some areas of Leyte, Northern Samar, and Southern Leyte.
Instrumental intensities were reported in Carigara, Leyte; Dulag, Abuyog, Villareal, and Gandara, Samar, while lower intensities were detected in other areas.
Phivolcs reassured the public that the earthquake is unlikely to cause severe damage but advised residents to remain alert for possible aftershocks.