Zambales hit by M5.0 quake amid series of recent tremors

A MAGNITUDE 5.0 earthquake struck Cabangan, Zambales on Saturday afternoon, adding to a series of recent tremors that have affected various parts of the Philippines.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was located within the Luzon mainland at Cabangan, Zambales, and occurred at 5:32 p.m. The quake was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 100 kilometers.

While there were no immediate reports of damage, PHIVOLCS warned that aftershocks may follow. Instrumental intensities of Intensity III were felt in Cabangan and Iba in Zambales, while Intensity II was reported in parts of Bulacan, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Zambales.

This earthquake comes a day after doublet earthquakes of magnitude-7.4 and 6.8 struck off Manay in Davao Oriental, and 11 days after a magnitude-6.9 earthquake hit Bogo City in Cebu. The recent Cebu earthquake has affected 201,245 families and damaged 79,959 houses, while the Davao Oriental earthquake affected 3,519 families with 33 houses reported damaged. Almost 800 aftershocks have been recorded following the Davao Oriental quakes. This latest tremor in Zambales highlights the ongoing seismic activity in the Philippines.