Magnitude 5 quake hits Bicol Tuesday night

DAET, Camarines Norte—An earthquake with a magnitude 5 on the Richter scale was felt by residents in Bicol on Tuesday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs’ Earthquake Information No. 1 released midnight of Tuesday said the quake, with a depth of 10 kilometers, had its epicenter 38 km northeast off Biri Island, Northern Samar. It was felt around 11:33 p.m.

The origin of the tremor was tectonic and it was felt by residents in Albay, Sorsogon and Camarines Sur.

Some residents in Naga City and Legazpi City reported via social networks Facebook and Twitter they were awakened from their sleep by the earthquake.

Eduardo Laguerta, resident volcanologist of Phivolcs in Bicol, said the quake was felt at intensity 3, which was enough to rouse people from their sleep.

The Office of Civil Defense in Bicol said they received no report of damage related to the quake in the Bicol provinces.