A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck waters off Bogo City, Cebu on Sunday afternoon, with seismologists warning that damage and aftershocks are expected following the shallow tremor that shook communities across Central Visayas.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) reported the tectonic earthquake occurred at 3:22 PM Philippine Standard Time on April 6, 2026, with its epicenter located 12 kilometers south 38° east of Bogo City at coordinates 10.96°N, 124.05°E. The earthquake originated at a relatively shallow depth of 11 kilometers.
Widespread Shaking Across Visayas
The earthquake was widely felt across multiple provinces in the Visayas region, with varying intensities recorded through both public reports and seismological instruments.
The strongest shaking was experienced in Bogo City and Medellin, Cebu, where residents reported Intensity V on the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale. Intensity IV shaking was felt in Sogod, Cebu and Villaba, Leyte.
Intensity III was reported across several areas including Bantayan, Liloan, City of Toledo, and Tudela in Cebu, as well as in Cebu City and Mandaue City. Lighter Intensity II shaking was felt in Inabanga, Bohol, and in Argao and Talisay City, Cebu.
The tremor's reach extended to Intensity I areas including Badian and San Fernando, Cebu.
Instrumental Recordings Show Broader Impact
PHIVOLCS seismological instruments recorded additional intensities across a wider geographic area. Intensity IV was instrumentally recorded in San Francisco, Cebu, and in Hilongos and Villaba, Leyte.
Intensity III readings were captured in Esperanza, Masbate; Liloan, Cebu; Cebu City; Lapu-Lapu City; multiple areas in Leyte including Abuyog, Baybay City, Carigara, and Isabel; Ormoc City; and Hinundayan, Southern Leyte.
Intensity II was instrumentally recorded across an even broader region spanning Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, various Cebu locations, Biliran, additional Leyte areas, and Southern Leyte municipalities.
The earthquake's effects reached as far as Intensity I readings in Masbate, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bacolod City, Eastern Samar, and Samar.
Damage and Aftershock Warning
PHIVOLCS has issued warnings that damage should be expected from this earthquake and that aftershocks are anticipated to follow the main tremor.
The combination of the earthquake's magnitude, shallow depth, and tectonic origin contributed to the widespread felt reports across the region and the agency's damage assessment.
PHIVOLCS issued the earthquake bulletin at 4:09 PM on April 6, 2026, noting this will be the only bulletin released unless additional information becomes available.
The agency advises residents in affected areas to remain vigilant for aftershocks and to inspect structures for any earthquake-related damage.
Monitor official PHIVOLCS updates at phivolcs.dost.gov.ph.