A 5.3 magnitude quake struck Friday afternoon sending thousands fleeing from buildings in Metro Manila. Operations of the Light Transit Rail or LRT were likewise suspended for a few hours due to the quake.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the country’s foremost authority in quake detection, estimates the epicentre of the quake to be several kilometres away, in the remote island of Polilio, off the coast of Quezon province. PHILVOCS estimate that the quake was tectonic in origin and occurred at a depth of 62 kilometres.

An interview with DZMM-Teleradyo, Renato Solidum, chief seismologist, says that the quake was traced deep into the bottom of the oceanic floor. Solidum says he believes that it caused little damage or no damage at all.

“For poorly constructed houses, such quake could probably affect it. Otherwise, we expect no severe or serious damage to property or persons,” says Solidum.

People reported experiencing the quake in the following areas:

Intensity 5– Burdeos and Infanta in Quezon; Los Banos and Pakil in Laguna

Intensity 4– Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte, Bicol; Quezon City; Marikina City, Sta Crus Laguna, Alabama and General Nakar in Quezon province.

Intensity 3– Guinayangan in Quezon province; Muntinlupa City, Manila City, San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, Bacoor in Cavite province, Mandela in Quirino, San Mateo in the province of Rizal, Baler in Aurora province and Lucena City.

Intensity 2 struck Dingalan in Aurora province, Mandaluyong City, Apalit town in Pampanga, Taguig City and Lucban in Quezon province.

Intensity 1 hit San Isidro and Gapan City in Nueva Ecija, and Meycauayan in Bulacan.