A 7.3 magnitude quake with a depth of 87 km. rocked Sarangani in Davao Occidental at 4:23 a.m. Saturday, the Philippine Institute of Seismology and Volcanology (Phivolcs) said.
In its advisory, Phivolcs said also affected were South Cotabato, Davao Oriental and Sultan Kudarat.
It also warned of a possible tsunami, with wave heights of less than one meter above normal tide levels.
Residents of the affected provinces have been advised to stay away from beaches and the coast facing the Celebes Sea.
Meanwhile, residents of the neighboring area General Santos also scampered out of their homes for safety after an Intensity 5 earthquake shook the area at dawn Saturday.
There was no immediate report of damages and casualties but the quake caused power outages for several minutes in parts of this city and nearby South Cotabato province.
Nane Danlag, head of Phivolcs GenSan, said the quake was tectonic in origin.
Danlag said it was felt at Intensity 5 in this city, Koronadal City, and in the municipalities of Polomolok, Sto. Nino, Tupi and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato.
“Based on the feedback we received from some residents, it did not cause household items to fall so we don’t expect any major damage from it,” she said.
She said based on their quake intensity scale, damages to infrastructure could be expected if it reaches Intensity 6-7.
But Danlag advised residents to remain cautious and vigilant as “aftershocks are still expected”.
“It’s important for everyone to be prepared,” she said.
