VP Duterte calls for calm after Mindanao quake

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 18) — Vice President Sara Duterte called for calm after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Sarangani, Davao Occidental on Friday.

"Ako man ay nakaranas din ng malalakas na lindol noong ako ay alkalde ng Davao at meron itong dala na trauma," she said in a video posted on Facebook. "Kinakailangan natin maging kalmado, at unahin ang pagcheck ng ating mga bahay at gusali para paghanda sa aftershocks."

[Translation: I myself experienced strong earthquakes when I was Davao City mayor and it's traumatizing. We need to stay calm. Check your homes and buildings to prepare for aftershocks.]

READ: Magnitude 6.8 quake hits waters off Sarangani

Duterte said she already received a report from the Office of Civil Defense and that she plans to meet with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council response cluster.

She also mentioned that she met with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin Friday night to assess the situation.

"Sa mga kalamidad na katulad nito, lumalabas po ang kahalagahan ng ating mga earthquake drills at iba pang pagsasanay para sa kahandaan," Duterte said.

[Translation: In calamities like this, the importance of our earthquake drills and other preparedness training becomes even more apparent.]