Earthquake of 5.6 magnitude strikes southern Philippines

MANILA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- A earthquake of 5.6 magnitude struck Sarangani Province in the southern Philippines on Saturday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The institute said the quake, which struck at 7:07 a.m. local time, hit at a depth of 96 km, about 10 km northeast of Alabel town in Sarangani.

The tremor was also felt in nearby Koronadal City, General Santos City, South Cotabato, Davao City, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, Kidapawan City and Cagayan de Oro City.

The institute said the tremor, which was tectonic in origin, will not cause any damage. However, it said that aftershocks are expected.