Phillipines: Magnitude-5.8 offshore earthquake occurs west of Batangas Province, Sept. 27

Event

A magnitude-5.8 offshore earthquake occurred west of Batangas Province at approximately 01:12 Sept. 27. The epicenter was about 14 km (9 miles) northwest of Calatagan. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 98 km (60 miles) and moderate to strong shaking was probably felt throughout the northern Philippines. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties; however, some damage is likely in areas closer to the epicenter, including Manila. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.