- Nearby residents told to steer clear of high-rise building; tower crane caves in
AT LEAST 174 residents living near Paragon Davao Condominiums along MacArthur highway, Matina were advised to vacate for safety reasons after a strong earthquake was felt in the city around half past four on Friday, Nov. 17.
Captain Hazel Tuazon, spokesperson of Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said the residents took temporary shelter at the Barangay 76-A gym.
Accordingly, the office received information that the high-rise building, which was under construction, was damaged due to the earthquake.
Initial information showed that the tower crane swayed violently until the counterweight fell to the ground, taking a portion of the exterior wall with it.
The safety officer assured the police that there were no workers injured during the incident.
Meanwhile, fallen debris from the building fell on the house of Rogelio Castro Bontardo, male, 77, resident of Almond Street, SIR Phase 2, Matina. His roof and ceiling sustained minor damage but, fortunately, no one in his family was injured.
City Information Office (CIO) head Harvey James Lanticse said that as of 7 p.m., there were no reported confirmed casualties due to the earthquake.
As of this writing, no other significant damage was reported.
Moreover, the Davao City Police Office clarified that there was no truth to the video of a child or individuals who lost their lives by the earthquake.
7.2 earthquake
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Sarangani Island, Davao Occidental also rocked Davao City at 4:14 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, sending people outside on open ground for safety.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the quake’s epicenter was located 05.37°N, 125.15°E – 030 km S 81° W of Sarangani in Davao Occidental, and had a depth of 10 kilometers, Phivolcs said in its first advisory on the temblor.
Phivolcs said the quake did not pose a tsunami threat to the Philippines.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also activated its barangay rescue units, volunteer groups, and response clusters to sweep their respective jurisdictions for any damage caused by the ground shaking.
Philvocs said Intensity VIII was felt in Glan in Sarangani and General Santos City; Intensity V in Matanao in Davao del Sur; Maasim and Malapatan in Sarangani; Lake Sebu, Tampakan, Polomolok, and Banga in South Cotabato;
Intensity IV in Kidapawan City; Davao City; Magsaysay in Davao del Sur; Don Marcelino and Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental; Kiamba and Maitum in Sarangani; Norala and Tantangan in South Cotabato; President Quirino, Lebak, Isulan, Esperanza, Columbio, and Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat. (With reports from MindaNews)
Photo courtesy of RY Llanes FB page
