Magnitude 5.8 quake rocks parts of Leyte, 2 injured

TACLOBAN CITY – At least two persons were reported injured following a magnitude 5.8 earthquake that shook parts of Leyte early Friday evening.

Leah Maasin, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer of Dulag town, said a 26-year-old pregnant woman fainted and fell from the stairs while a 27-year-old woman suffered injuries when she jumped from the second floor of a store.

“The pregnant woman was brought to the rural health center while the other injured person chose to return home,” she said.

She admitted several residents reportedly panicked during the earthquake.

Maasin said they earlier asked residents of the nine coastal villages, namely, San Jose, San Rafael, Luan, Buntay, Sungi, Sabang, Daguitan,Catmonan, and Rizal, to seek  higher ground minutes after the quake.

“But by 7:30 p.m., we have lifted the order and for them to return to their respective homes,” Maasin said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the earthquake struck at 6:16 p.m. Its epicenter was traced some 36 kilometers northeast of Abuyog town and was of tectonic origin.

It was recorded at Intensity V in the towns of Abuyog, Burauen, Dulag, La Paz, Macarthur, Mahaplag, Tabontabon, and Tolosa in Leyte; and Hinunangan, Hinundayan, and Silago, Southern Leyte.

It was felt at Intensity 4 in Jagna, Bohol; City of Borongan and the towns of Balangiga, General Macarthur, Giporlos, Hernani, Lawaan, Llorente, and Quinapondan in Eastern Samar; cities of Tacloban, Ormoc and Baybay and the towns of Barugo, Calubian, Dagami, Hilongos, Jaro, Javier, Julita, Kananga, Palo, Pastrana, San Miguel, and Santa Fe in Leyte;; Basey town in Samar; and the towns of Bontoc, Malitbog, and Sogod, in Southern Leyte.

Intensity 3 was reported in Tagbilaran City, Bohol and Surigao City in Surigao del Norte; and Intensity 2 in Bogo City, Cebu and Pintuyan town in Southern Leyte.