Magnitude 5.0 quake jolts South Cotabato

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 26) — A magnitude 5.0 earthquake shook South Cotabato early Saturday morning, state seismologists reported.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the earthquake of tectonic origin struck 2 kilometers south of Surallah town at 3:13 a.m. It had a depth of 11 km.

Phivolcs initially reported the magnitude at 5.5 before downgrading it later to 5.0.

The agency also reported the following intensities:

Intensity IV - Tupi, Banga, Polomolok, and General Santos City in South Cotabato; Kiamba and Maasim in Sarangani

Intensity III - Alabel, Malungon, Malapatan, and Maitum in Sarangani

Phivolcs warned that damage and aftershocks are expected.