3 houses in Occidental Mindoro partially destroyed due to magnitude 6.3 quake

December 25, 2020

Three houses in Occidental Mindoro were partially damaged due to a magnitude 6.3 earthquake that rocked Calatagan, Batangas and some areas in Luzon on Friday, Christmas Day.

“We have received reports of three partially damaged houses in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters.

“No casualties as of this reporting… No other damages reported in other locations,” he added.

According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the earthquake epicenter was recorded at 11 km southwest of Calatagan, Batangas around 7:43 am.

The tremor that was tectonic in origin has a depth of 102 km.

In a radio interview, Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum said the quake was due to the collapse of West Philippine in Manila Trench.

"The Manila Trench is the earthquake generator which causes deep quakes in Batangas," Solidum said.

Calatagan Mayor Oliver Palacio earlier said there were no reported damages so far.

"It's a slight (earthquake) at first but after some time, it became strong," Palacio said.

He said there were no high buildings in their area aside from a 4-storey high school building.

Palacio assured Calatagan residents that barangay officials were on alert and ready to respond. Ella Dionisio/DMS