Magnitude 5.6 earthquake rocks Samar

MANILA, Philippines: A magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook Samar province on Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said the tremor happened at 12:57 p.m. 16 kilometers southeast of Calbiga town.

Tectonic in origin, the earthquake had a depth of 77 kms.

Phivolcs said residents in Palo, Leyte felt the earthquake at Intensity 4.

Meanwhile, Intensity 5 was recorded in Catbalogan City, Samar, the agency said.

While aftershocks are possible, damage to infrastructure is not expected, Bacolcol said.