Magnitude 6.0 quake rocks Metro Manila--US Geological Survey
Agence France-Presse, Inquirer
Last updated 01:10pm (Mla time) 11/27/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2) A strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake shook the Philippine capital on Tuesday, sending some office workers fleeing into the streets, seismologists and witnesses said.
The quake struck at 12:27 p.m. (0427 GMT) and was centered 195 kilometers (120 miles) northwest of Manila at a depth of depth 62.5 kilometers, the US Geological Survey said.
Witnesses and radio reports said some office buildings in Manila emptied as people rushed outside when the structures began to sway.
The city's light railway system also stopped briefly, they added.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the quake was felt in the cities of Makati, Manila and Pasig, especially by tenants of high-rise buildings.
Malacañang, Senate, and Government Service Insurance System employees evacuated their buildings during the earthquake, according to INQUIRER.net in separate reports.
But Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile was undeterred as he proceeded with the floor debates on the proposed 2008 budget.
The quake was also felt in Ilocos Norte, Baguio City, Pangasinan, and Pampanga, according to reports from the Inquirer’s provincial correspondents.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has yet to issue a statement.
With reports from Veronica Uy, Lira D. Fernandez, INQUIRER.net; Originally posted at 12:49pm