A magnitude 6.4 earthquake jolted offshore of Sarangani, Davao Occidental on Wednesday with varying intensities felt in several areas, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) which said the tremor was an aftershock of the destructive magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck in June.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located about 37 kilometers south-southwest of Balut Island in the Municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, at 12:14 p.m., PHIVOLCS said in its earthquake information bulletin. The quake was tectonic in origin, and aftershocks are expected.
PHIVOLCS Director Teresito C. Bacolcol said the earthquake was generated by the Cotabato Trench and was an aftershock of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck offshore of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, on June 8.
“Based on our calculations, its epicenter is around 50 kilometers from the epicenter of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake,” Mr. Bacolcol told reporters on the sidelines of the Sustainability Expo 2026 on Wednesday.
“So, we consider this an aftershock of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake event,” he added.
Mr. Bacolcol said aftershocks from the June mainshock are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
The earlier earthquake left more than 90 people dead and caused at least P1.47 billion in infrastructure damage, according to the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Meanwhile, PHIVOLCS said the magnitude 6.4 aftershock was felt in several areas, with the highest reported intensity of Intensity V recorded in Glan, Sarangani.
Intensity IV was reported in Kiamba, Sarangani; General Santos City; Malungon and Alabel, Sarangani; and Tupi and Polomolok, South Cotabato.
Intensity III was recorded in Maasim, Maitum, and Malapatan, Sarangani; Lake Sebu and Tampakan, South Cotabato.
Intensity II was reported in Koronadal City, Banga, and Surallah, South Cotabato.
PHIVOLCS said no tsunami warning was issued and no damage is expected from the magnitude 6.4 earthquake. — Edg Adrian A. Eva
