Magnitude 5.7 quake rocks Northern Samar

A MAGNITUDE 5.7 earthquake rocked Northern Samar yesterday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The quake occurred at 11:39 a.m. with the epicenter some 34 km northwest of Pambujan town. Phivolcs initially reported the quake at magnitude 6 but later downgraded it to magnitude 5.7.

The quake, of tectonic origin, had a depth of 54 km.

The tremor was felt at Intensity V in the towns of Bobon, Catarman, Laoang, Lavezares, Palapag, Rosario, and San Roque in Northern Samar at Intensity IV in Sorsogon City and Pilar, Sorsogon.

It was felt at Intensity III in Legazpi City and Tabaco City in Albay; Virac, Catanduanes; Masbate City; Bulusan and Irosin towns in Sorsogon; and Burauen and Javier in Leyte.