Fear lingers as twin quakes jolt Davao Occidental, Soccsksargen

KORONADAL CITY — Residents of Davao Occidental and Sarangani rushed out of their homes or shops as two earthquakes jolted Regions 11 (Davao) and 12 (Soccsksargen) Wednesday morning, reviving fears months after a major tremor.A magnitude 5.5 quake first struck at 7:43 a.m. on Wednesday, followed by a magnitude 5.4 tremor at 9:11 a.m., according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).Both earthquakes were recorded near Balut Island in the municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, at a depth of 10 kilometers. The second quake was located 11 kilometers southwest of the island.

READ: Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jolts Davao OccidentalIn Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, some residents rushed out of their homes when the ground suddenly shook.Jed Tabogoy said the first tremor caught them by surprise. Although it lasted only a few seconds, the fear and trauma from the powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake in June remained.In Glan, Sarangani, employees of a cellphone shop also rushed outside when they felt the first tremor.Store owner Roland King Algarme shared CCTV footage showing his employees hurrying out, with some running toward the exit. They waited outside until the shaking subsided before returning to the shop.The employees went outside again when the second quake struck at around 9:11 a.m. but returned inside shortly afterward. No damage was reported inside the shop.The earthquakes also prompted school evacuations in Sarangani and South Cotabato.In Glan, students at Pangyan Elementary School were sent home, with many picked up by their parents.The Sarangani provincial government suspended classes and work in government offices to allow post-earthquake safety inspections and assessments of possible damage.

READ: Sarangani suspends classes, gov’t work after magnitude 5.5 quakeThe provincial information office said the suspension was to ensure the safety of students, teachers, government personnel and the public. Personnel involved in emergency response, health and medical services, peace and order, public safety, and disaster management operations were exempted.In Surallah, South Cotabato, teachers led students at Lamsugod Elementary School to an open field after the first quake.The students covered their heads as they moved to the open area. Teachers then inspected their classrooms for possible damage.Classes resumed after the shaking subsided and school officials found no damage to classrooms and offices. /coa