Mindanao rocked by 6.2 quake

MANILA, Philippines—A powerful magnitude-6.2 earthquake rocked parts of Mindanao past noon Saturday triggering panic but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the earthquake struck at 12:37 p.m. with its epicenter estimated at 30 km northeast of Sarangani. It was tectonic in origin.

People rushed out of buildings in panic after the quake sent lighting fixtures swaying.

Phivolcs did not raise a tsunami alert and said it did not expect any damage although aftershocks may follow.

The earthquake was felt at Intensity 4 in Mati and Taragona, Davao Oriental, and Intensity 3 in Davao City. Tremors were also felt in General Santos City, Butuan City, Malaybalay and Bukidnon at Intensity 2, Phivolcs said.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire—a belt around the Pacific Ocean dotted with active volcanoes and tectonic trenches. AFP, Julie Aurelio