A magnitude 5.5 earthquake jolted the waters off Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental, on Saturday, July 18, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
According to PHIVOLCS, the quake rattled the coastal waters of the area around 10:23 AM. It has a depth of focus of 15 km and is tectonic in origin.
Meanwhile, the following intensities were recorded:
Intensity II
- Maasim, Sarangani
- Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat
Intensity I
- General Santos City
- The municipalities of T'Boli and Tupi in South Cotabato
- Kiamba and Maitum in Sarangani
- Santa Maria in Davao Occidental
- Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat
PHIVOLCS said the tremor was an aftershock of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Sarangani in June 2026, as well as the magnitude 6.5 earthquake that previously hit Davao Occidental.
The agency said no damage is expected from the earthquake.
It also noted that no significant aftershocks are anticipated.
PHIVOLCS raised the earthquake's magnitude to 5.6 after it was initially reported as magnitude 5.5.
