2 earthquakes jolt Batangas, Mindoro; no damage reported

CALAPAN CITY — Two earthquakes were recorded Friday night, including a magnitude 4.2 tremor off Calatagan, Batangas that was felt in parts of Mindoro, state seismologists said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the tectonic quake that hit Calatagan occurred at 7:56 p.m., with its epicenter located 19 kilometers southwest of the municipality. It had a depth of 65 km.

Instrumental intensities were recorded at Intensity II in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, and Intensity I in Lemery, Batangas, as well as in Abra de Ilog and Mamburao in Occidental Mindoro.

Phivolcs said no damage is expected from the tremor, but aftershocks are possible.

Later at 10:14 p.m., a magnitude 1.8 earthquake was also monitored near Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

The quake, logged under Earthquake Information No. 1, had a depth of 35 kilometers and was located 9 km north of Puerto Galera.

Phivolcs said the earthquakes were tectonic in origin and were not expected to cause damage. /das