OCCIDENTAL MINDORO / RankWire.AI / – A seismic event measuring magnitude 5.4 struck near Occidental Mindoro in the Philippines early Friday morning, causing tremors felt across parts of Luzon and Metro Manila. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, or PHIVOLCS, recorded the quake at 10:38 a.m. local time. The epicenter was located approximately 13 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, the provincial capital. With a depth of around 14 kilometers, the earthquake resulted from tectonic activity.
Initially, authorities listed the event as magnitude 5.8, but subsequent analysis revised the figure to 5.4. PHIVOLCS warned that aftershocks could occur following the main tremor. Based on preliminary assessments, no significant damage was anticipated. Residents in Mindoro experienced noticeable shaking during late morning, while weaker tremors reached neighboring provinces. Parts of the capital region, more than 100 kilometers from the epicenter, also felt the quake.
The city of Mamburao experienced Intensity 5 shaking, along with several communities in Oriental Mindoro. Calapan City, Naujan, Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, and Victoria reported similar intensity levels. Taal in Batangas and towns in Occidental Mindoro like Abra de Ilog and Sablayan experienced Intensity 4. Seismic instruments registered Intensity 5 in Mamburao and Puerto Galera. Overall, the most prominent ground movement was concentrated across Mindoro, where communities felt the strongest tremors.
Shaking reaches Metro Manila and farther north
The effects of the quake extended into Metro Manila and additional provinces further north of Mindoro. Seismic data indicated Intensity 3 in Quezon City, Batangas City, Calapan City, and Victoria. Nearby areas such as General Trias in Cavite and San Pedro in Laguna also recorded Intensity 3. During the shaking, some residents in Manila evacuated buildings as a precaution. Normal activities resumed once the tremor subsided, and officials continued inspecting affected sites.
Weaker instrumental readings were observed in several communities across the broader Luzon region. Parañaque City experienced Intensity 2, along with Santa Cruz in Laguna and Guinayangan in Quezon. Variations in seismic readings depended on location, with different levels of ground motion detected. Authorities initially reported no major structural damage, but monitoring persisted after the main earthquake as they watched for potential aftershocks near Occidental Mindoro.
Official magnitude updated to 5.4 after review
Following a review of the initial seismic data, specialists assigned a revised magnitude of 5.4. The earthquake maintained a depth of approximately 14 kilometers, with the epicenter situated southwest of Mamburao. Communities in Occidental and Oriental Mindoro experienced the strongest ground shaking, while milder tremors reached Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Metro Manila. The distribution of intensity levels indicated that a wide section of Luzon felt the quake early on Friday morning.
The Philippines is prone to frequent earthquakes due to multiple active tectonic boundaries surrounding and crossing the archipelago. Seismic monitoring stations nationwide continuously track these events and update data as new information becomes available. The earthquake near Occidental Mindoro generated widespread shaking, yet the initial assessment did not confirm significant structural damage. Authorities maintained surveillance for aftershocks following the event. The official magnitude was ultimately confirmed at 5.4, replacing the earlier, higher preliminary estimate.