A strong earthquake measuring 5.4 magnitude in the Richter Scale jolted Batanes at dawn yesterday, killing at least eight people, including a five-day old baby, and inflicting injuries to more than 60 other residents as houses and other concrete establishments collapsed.
Police Brig. Gen. Jose Mario Espino, director of the Cagayan Valley police, said the quake also caused a power shutdown in the island municipality of Itbayat, the worst-hit area in Batanes.
Espino said that among those damaged was the bell tower of the Nuestra Señora Del Rosario in Itbayat.
“Policemen and soldiers were already assisting in the conduct of search and rescue in Itbayat,” said Espino.
Seven of the fatalities were identified as Genward Mina, Eva Valiente, Mary Rose Valiente, Fiona Valiente, Teresita Gulaga, Fausta Caan, and 89-year old Tito Asa.
The eighth fatality was a five-day old baby.
Nine of the injured victims were identified as Dionisa Mirabueno, Edward Dita, Althea Manzo, John John Valiente, Gina Valiente, Luning Valiente, Rose Ann Manzo, Lloyd Libaton, and Nonisa Balanoba.
Authorities said the casualties are due to collapsed houses and other establishments.
Policemen were also sent to secure the 11 evacuation centers that were set up for local residents.
Based on the police data, there were 911 families, composed of 2,963 persons, which sought refuge at the evacuation centers in Itbayat.
Itbayat, according to 2915 Census, has a population of almost 3,000. Six barangays composes the town.
The Batanes quake came three months after a strong quake also shook Central Luzon where 18 people were confirmed dead, mostly in Porac, Pampanga.
The Batanes quake also occurred a few minutes before the start of an earthquake drill in Metro Manila.
An NDRRMC report said the origin of the earthquake was recorded in Itbayat at 4:16 a.m., with a depth of focus of 12 kilometers. It was tectonic in origin.
An even stronger magnitude-6.4 aftershock with a depth of 43 kilometers was recorded at 7:38 a.m., it added.
Intensity 6 was felt in Itbayat while Intensity 3 was recorded in Basco and Sabtang in Batanes.
NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said a team from the Philippine Marine Battalion Landing Team 10 and Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit were immediately deployed to Itbayat to conduct search and rescue operations.
“Hindi naman sila nadaganan, nalaglagan ng mga bato kasi accounted naman lahat sila. Walang missing na naipit,” Jalad said.
Aside from houses, several private establishments and churches also sustained damages while cracks were found on the roads. The Basco Airport was also being assessed for damages.
Authorities found it difficult to relay immediate assistance due to the geographical location of the municipality.
“Kasi itong Itbayat, ang access lang nila doon ay bangka so nagpadala na tayo ng eroplano,” Jalad noted.
Major Ericson Bulusan, Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command spokesman, said a C295 aircraft was dispatched by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It was carrying two more teams of search and rescue personnel from the 1st Rescue Group of the Philippine Air Force and various relief goods. The plane reached the area at 9:18 a.m.
“Ang Air Force personnel natin ay ia-assess po nila ‘yong Basco Airport doon para kung mas marami pa po tayong mapapadala na mga tropa na tutulong sa Itbayat,” Bulusan said.
The NDRRMC was placed on blue alert status effective 12 p.m. yesterday as it monitored the effects of the earthquake in Itbayat.
Affected residents were also advised to stay outdoors to be safe from aftershocks, Jalad said.
The military said individuals who are interested to help may send relief goods such as food, water, and medicines at pre-designated areas assigned by the Northern Luzon Command as pick-up points. These areas are at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga, Laoag International Airport, and Tuguegarao Airport. (Martin Sadongdong and Aaron Recuenco)
