Strong Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake Strikes Cebu Province in the Philippines; Aftershocks Reported

A powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu province in the central Philippines late Tuesday night, shaking homes and buildings across the Visayas region and parts of southern Luzon and Mindanao. The earthquake was recorded at 9:59 p.m. local time, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The epicenter was located 21 kilometers (13 miles) northeast of Bogo City, a coastal area in northern Cebu, at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers (3 miles). Shallow earthquakes tend to produce stronger ground shaking, which was widely felt across the region.

Phivolcs initially reported the quake at magnitude 6.7 but later revised it upward to 6.9 after further analysis.

Local Government Responds

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the provincial government has begun coordinating with local agencies and authorities to assess the situation on the ground, particularly in communities near the epicenter.

“Our disaster response teams are closely monitoring developments. We are working with local government units, police, and emergency responders to ensure immediate assistance is delivered to affected residents,” Baricuatro said in a statement.

Widespread Shaking Across the Region

Residents reported varying levels of shaking intensity across several provinces:

• Moderately strong shaking (Intensity V) was felt in parts of Cebu, Negros Occidental, Lapu-Lapu City, and Tacloban City.

• Light to moderate shaking (Intensity IV) was experienced in several towns in Sorsogon, Capiz, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Samar, and Zamboanga del Norte.

• Weak to light shaking (Intensity III) reached Albay, Camarines Sur, Antique, and other areas farther from the epicenter.

  
  

Instrumental measurements indicated:

• Strong shaking (Intensity VI) in Cebu City and Villaba, Leyte.

• Moderate shaking (Intensity V) in several Cebu towns, parts of Masbate, and Leyte, including Ormoc City.

• Light shaking (Intensity IV) in parts of Sorsogon, Capiz, Biliran, Samar, and Davao del Sur.

  
  

In the Philippines, “reported intensity” refers to human perception of shaking, while “instrumental intensity” is recorded using ground acceleration meters, similar to seismograph readings used in the U.S.

Aftershocks Recorded

Two significant aftershocks followed the main quake:

• A magnitude 5.0 tremor at 10:24 p.m.

• A magnitude 5.1 tremor at 10:33 p.m.

  
  

Both were centered near Bogo City.

Damage Checks and Safety Precautions

As of press time, there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage, but authorities have deployed rapid assessment teams to inspect critical infrastructure such as bridges, roads, schools, and coastal areas.

Disaster response units have been placed on high alert, and residents are being advised to stay vigilant for potential aftershocks.

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan, Cebu lies in ruins after it fully collapsed during Tuesday night’s powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province. The centuries-old church was among the structures hardest hit by the quake.

No Tsunami Threat

Phivolcs clarified that the earthquake’s epicenter was inland, and therefore no tsunami warning has been issued. However, the agency urged the public to stay away from damaged or weakened structures and to keep emergency supplies ready.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. Cebu is a major economic and tourism hub in the central Philippines, and large earthquakes in the region can disrupt transport, power, and communication lines.