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A magnitude-5.2 quake in the Mindoro area rocked Metro Manila and parts of Southern Luzon Monday morning, even as state seismologists said there may be aftershocks.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) head Renato Solidum Jr. said quakes are frequent in the Mindoro area in Southern Luzon.

"Madalas mangyari yan sa Mindoro area. Last year may dalawang sunud-sunod sa isang araw. Posibleng magkaroon ng lindol pa rin (Quakes are relatively frequent in the Mindoro area. Last year there were two successive quakes in one day there. It is possible there will be aftershocks)," Solidum said in an interview on dzXL radio.

Citing initial reports reaching him, Solidum said the quake was felt at Intensity II in Metro Manila.

But Solidum advised the public to remain calm during a quake and to seek cover.

He also advised people who are cooking to turn off the stove and close the valve of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank.

Phivolcs' earthquake information report released at 8:30 a.m. showed that the quake that occurred at 7:50 a.m. had tectonic origin (movement of the tectonic plates). It also said that no damage was expected from the temblor, but aftershocks are likely.

According to the Phivolcs bulletin, intensity IV was felt in the municipalities of Looc and Lubang in Mindoro; intensity III in Batangas City, Iba town in Zambales and Clark in Pampanga; intensity II in Calamba in Laguna, Metro Manila, and Talisay town in Batangas.

On the other hand, the United States Geological Service (USGS) data showed that the quake was at magnitude-5.7, with the epicenter traced to 44 km west of Batangas, or 70 km northwest of Calapan, Mindoro; or 103 km south southwest from Manila.

As of posting time, there were no reports of any damage or casualties.

Source: gmanews.tv