Brace for tsunami threat in wake of Davao quake: Palace to LGUs

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo also urged all Mindanao residents to be alert and cooperate with LGUs to ensure their safety. (File Photo: Salvador Panelo/Facebook)

MANILA — Malacañang urged local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao to take precautionary measures in view of a possible aftershock or tsunami after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Davao Oriental just before noon Saturday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo also urged all Mindanao residents to be alert and cooperate with LGUs to ensure their safety.

“The Palace urges local government units in Mindanao to closely monitor their respective areas of jurisdiction and take precautionary measures, particularly those in the coastal areas, in view of possible aftershocks, tsunami or both as a result of this morning’s 7.1-magnitude earthquake,” Panelo said in a statement.

“We ask everyone to be alert and cooperate as we pray for the safety of all,” he added.

As of 3 p.m. Saturday, however, Phivolcs canceled its tsunami advisory after wave heights have returned to the normal level.

“With this, any effects due to minor sea level disturbances have largely passed and therefore DOST-Phivolcs (Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology) has now cancelled recommendations prescribed in our Tsunami Advisory issued for this event,” Phivolcs said in a statement.

According to Phivolcs, the earthquake’s epicenter was located 162 km.

southwest of the municipality of Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental province.

Phivolcs advised people in the following areas to stay away from the coast facing the Philippine Sea from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and move farther inland until the threat has passed: Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.