Magnitude 5.8 earthquake strikes off western Philippines; tremors felt in capital

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake jolted the western Philippines on August 7, with its epicenter located off the coast of Occidental Mindoro province. The tremor, which occurred at 10:38 a.m., was felt strongly enough in the capital, Manila, to cause concern among residents and prompt precautionary measures.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that the earthquake originated approximately 21 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. It occurred at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometers. The shaking was perceptible in Manila, with Reuters witnesses observing that employees in a state agency building were asked to evacuate as a safety precaution.

PHIVOLCS issued an initial advisory stating that while no significant damage was anticipated from the earthquake itself, the possibility of aftershocks remained. The institute continues to monitor seismic activity in the region.