News Briefs: March 27, 2019

3 quakes revive 2013 Bohol nightmare

Three earthquakes that struck parts of Bohol province on Monday were strong enough to be felt by residents who are still being haunted by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck in 2013 and killed more than 200 people.

Many residents took to social media to express fears as the earthquakes reminded them of the 2013 tragedy.

“My God, it’s an earthquake,” said Gigi Badlon on her Facebook page. “Have mercy my God.”

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the first earthquake of 2.8 magnitude struck around 7:35 a.m.

The second 2.9-magnitude earthquake struck around 10:33 a.m.

The third struck around 10:35 a.m. with a magnitude of 4.5.

—Leo Udtohan

Girl dies after swim in quarried Digos river

A girl died after she and a playmate were rescued as they started drowning in a river at the village of Tres de Mayo in Digos City on Sunday.

Supt. Deozar Almasa on Monday said Sofia Villaber, 13, was declared dead at the Medical Center of Digos where she was brought after her and playmate John Rhods Tatoy’s rescue from the river, where authorities said Villaber had been training for swimming competitions at a coming sports event, Palarong Pambansa.

The river, which was being quarried by residents, had claimed the lives of two persons last month.

Authorities had warned against swimming in the river because of its deep portions. —Orlando B. Dinoy