Magnitude 5.9 earthquake hits southern Philippines

SANAA, Jan. 16 (YPA) – A magnitude 5.9 quake hit the southern Philippines on Wednesday, ut no damage was expected, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

“The earthquake occurred at 4:03 am local time, at a depth of 48 km, and its center was located 149 km southwest of Gaffernor Guinarsu, Davao Oriental province in Mindanao,” Xinhua said in a statement.

The tectonic quake jolted around 4:03 a.m. local time at a depth of 48 kilometers and its epicenter located 149 kilometers southeast off Governor Generoso town, in Mindanao’s Davao Oriental province, according to Xinhua.

The quake was felt by people on the island of Mindanao and may be followed by other tremors, the institute said.

Last Dec. 29, a magnitude-7.2 quake also hit off Governor Generoso, caused panic among residents without damage .

The Philippines is located in an active seismic and volcanic zone known as the Pacific Ring of Fire.