Duterte says no initial report of massive destruction in Leyte quake

July 6, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday so far there is no massive destruction brought about by the magnitude 6.5 earthquake with the epicenter near Jaro, Leyte. "There was no destruction. It's weak. Well, by this time, it could have caused massive destruction but there’s none," Duterte told reporters in Bukidnon. He added, "nobody but nobody can foretell a disaster. That’s why in the insurance business, disasters are called or categorized an 'act of God.” At least two people have died, radio reports quoting local officials, said. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology ( Phivolcs), in its bulletin, said the tremblor was felt 15 kilometers northeast of Ormoc City and eight km southwest of Jaro, Leyte at 4:03 pm. "We ask our people, especially residents of affected areas, to stay calm and yet remain alert and vigilant for aftershocks as we assure them of immediate assistance by the government," Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement. He urged the public to regularly check the Phivolcs website for the latest earthquake information. (Celerina Monte/DMS)