Two quakes jolt Bolinao, Pangasinan

BAGUIO CITY — A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck near Bolinao early on Thursday morning, followed less than an hour later by a weaker tremor, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported.

The stronger quake occurred at 6:11 a.m., with its epicenter located about 5 kilometers northeast of Bolinao at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.

PHIVOLCS recorded instrumental intensity III in the nearby town of Bani, indicating weak shaking felt indoors by some residents.

No significant damage however was reported.

At 6:54 a.m., a magnitude 1.9 earthquake was also recorded about 19 kilometers northwest of that same town at a depth of 33 kilometers. The tremor, also tectonic in origin, was too weak to be felt.

PHIVOLCS said it continues to monitor the area and advised residents to remain alert, noting that minor earthquakes are common in seismically active regions like Pangasinan. — Artemio A. Dumlao