Magnitude 4.9 quake hits Biliran, parts of Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — Several residents of the capital town of Naval in Biliran ran to the streets on Wednesday night after a 4.9 magnitude earthquake hit the municipality and some parts of Leyte.

Flor Jackson of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) based in Naval told the Inquirer that several residents scampered out of their houses.

“They fear being hit by falling cabinets and other decor inside their houses,” she told the Inquirer in a text message.

The Office of Civil Defense in Eastern Visayas has not received a report of any damage caused by the earthquake, said Cherelyn Lubang, OCD-8 administrative officer.

The earthquake, which was tectonic in origin, was recorded at 7:09 p.m., said Myra Dolina of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in Tacloban. Its epicenter was traced 3 km south of Naval, she added.

Dolina said the earthquake was recorded at Intensity 4 in Naval, Kawayan, Culaba and Biliran, all in Biliran; and in towns of Calubian and Leyte, both in Leyte.

Intensity 3 earthquake was felt in Kananga town in Leyte; Intensity 2 in Palompon and Matag-ob towns as well as Tacloban, also in Leyte.

The earthquake was recorded at Intensity 1 in Cebu City. /INQUIRER