5.2-magnitude aftershock hits parts of Mindanao

DAVAO CITY — A powerful magnitude-5.2 aftershock rocked parts of Mindanao early on Maundy Thursday, barely a day after a stronger temblor jolted a large swath of the southern island, causing damage to houses and cracks on buildings, state seismologists said.

The latest quake struck at around 4:01 a.m. with an epicenter located 47 kilometers west of Wao, Lanao del Sur at depth of 10 kilometers, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs said Intensity V shaking was felt in Wao, the town closest to the epicenter. In the 12-tiered Mercalli Intensity Scale, Intensity V means the quake could be felt by nearly everyone, with people roused from sleep and windows and dishes broken.

The temblor was also felt at Intensity III in Cagayan de Oro City, and Intensity II in Cotabato City and Koronadal in South Cotabato, said Phivolcs.

Damage and aftershocks are expected following Thursday’s quake, Phivolcs said.

Wednesday’s shaker which hit around 5:21 a.m. was felt at Intensity VII (Very Strong) in Kalilangan town, in Bukidnon, where patients of Bukidnon Provincial Hospital was evacuated due to fears the facility might collapse as cracks appeared on its walls, the military’s 4^th Infantry Division said, quoting reports from local seismologists and disaster officials.

“Kalilangan town has reported some minor damages and cracks on some of its buildings, houses and some parts of its main road,” according to Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, 4th ID spokesperson.

The military’s 403rd Infantry Brigade sent personnel to assist local authorities and provided tents as temporary shelter to the evacuated patients, Martinez said. JE/rga