THERE are no casualties reported in the islands of Masbate after a strong Magnitude 6 earthquake shook the province around 2am Thursday.

The quake’s epicenter, in Batuan town in Ticao Island, had cracks on roads and in some houses and buildings.

Residents in Batuan said they got scared when the quake jolted them from sleep. It was the first time they experienced such a strong quake and there were aftershocks that came after.

“Akala namin magkakaroon ng tsunami tulad dun sa Japan o sa Thailand,” Jocelyn Cerillo, teacher from Barangay Poblacion in Batuan. She was referring to the Fukushima and Phuket disasters where thousands died from the tsunami triggered by massive quakes.

Ticao Island is one of the three islands of Masbate province.

It also didn’t help that the rains have been pouring over the island.

After an hour of waiting, there was no tsunami.

Phivolcs explained there could have been sea level disturbance from the quake but not significant enough to cause a destructive tidal wave.

Bongkabs Margallo, a cellphone accessories shop owner in Ticao Island, shared the CCTV footage of the quake in his Facebook post.

Masbate’s capital, Masbate City, also experienced Intensity 7.

According to Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the quake was also felt in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas regions and even Quezon.

Around 135 aftershocks were recorded as of 1 pm today, ranging from 1.5 to 4.2 magnitude.

Prior to the Magnitude 6 quake, Phivolcs also monitored a “foreshock” in Masbate with a strength of 4.5 Magnitude.

This is the third time Masbate experienced a Magnitude 6 quake in recent years. Phivolcs said Masbate shook in 2003, with Magnitude 6.2, and had another in 2020 with Magnitude 6.6.

Other reports of damage

The provincial disaster office in Masbate reported that the ceiling collapsed inside the Magallanes Coliseum.

Three major infrastructures in Masbate City were damaged by the quake.

• ARB Building, Novotel
• Ranchel Hotel
• Novotel

The entire province experienced power outage. Only Batuan reported that power has restored past 7 am.

Around 200 patients were also evacuated from the Masbate Provincial Hospital.

Tents were installed outside the hospital grounds after cracks were noticed inside the building.

Classes were suspended for the entire province. The Masbate city government also declared suspension of work as disaster and fire personnel assess the extent of damage to buildings and properties. with photos, reports from Jener Magbojos Jr. from Ticao Island, Masbate