Philippines: Magnitude-5.7 offshore earthquake strikes in Verde Island Passage, south of Luzon Island, 09:09 May 12

Event

A magnitude-5.7 earthquake occurred in Verde Island Passage, south of Luzon Island, at around 09:09 May 12. The epicenter was around 28 km (18 miles) south-southwest of Batangas City. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 110 km (68 miles). Light-to-moderate shaking may have occurred in Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Occidental Mindoro provinces. Weak-to-light shaking may have occurred in Metro Manila and Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Pampanga, Quezon, Rizal, eastern Camarines Norte and Romblon, northern Palawan, and southern Zambales provinces. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties because of the earthquake, and significant damage is unlikely. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days. Authorities have not issued 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. Out of an abundance of caution, 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.