Palace extends sympathies to quake victims

October 17, 2019

Malacanang expressed on Thursday its sympathies to the victims of 6.3-magnitude earthquake that rocked some parts of Mindanao.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte might visit the areas affected by the tremor, which left at least five people dead and injured scores of people.

"Isn't it he (Duterte) always visits (the affected areas) whenever there is a calamity?" Panelo said when asked if Duterte would visit the earthquake victims.

Magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit Makilala, North Cotabato at 7:37 pm on Wednesday. It was felt in nearby areas, resulting in damages also of some establishments and infrastructure.

"The Palace is saddened by this unfortunate incident and, in the meantime, wishes to express its sympathies to those who were affected thereby," said Panelo in a statement.

He said the Office of the President has tasked all concerned agencies of the government to mobilize, respond and provide immediate assistance to those in need, and to study plans on how to rehabilitate the damaged areas.

"We ask the public to remain calm but vigilant and we urge them to refrain from spreading disinformation that may cause undue alarm, panic and stress to many people," said Panelo, also chief presidential legal counsel.

After the earthquake with epicenter in North Cotabato, aftershocks have been experienced, the strongest of which was 5.5-magnitude at 8:09 pm on Wednesday. 

At 4:53am on Thursday, magnitude 5.3 earthquake was also felt in Manay, Davao Oriental, and at 9:28am on the same day, 5.2-magnitude quake jolted Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental. Celerina Monte/DMS