A magnitude 5.3 tectonic earthquake rattled communities across Albay, Sorsogon, and neighboring provinces late on Friday night, June 5, 2026, with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) confirming that both damage and aftershocks are expected.
What Happened and Where
The earthquake struck at 9:57:58 PM Philippine Standard Time (PHT) on June 5, 2026. According to PHIVOLCS-DOST, the epicenter was located 15 kilometers south-southeast of Santo Domingo, Albay, at coordinates 13.21°N, 123.92°E. The earthquake was tectonic in origin and occurred at a shallow depth of only 9 kilometers. This bulletin, designated Earthquake Information No. 2, was issued by PHIVOLCS at 10:46 PM PHT on the same night.
Because of its shallow focus, the earthquake was capable of producing strong ground shaking across a wide area — and the felt reports confirm it did.
How Strong Was the Shaking?
PHIVOLCS reported shaking across multiple provinces using the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS). The following intensities were reported by residents and observers:
Reported Intensities
Intensity V (strong shaking; felt by nearly everyone; many awakened; some objects fall) was reported in:
- Santo Domingo and the City of Legazpi, Albay
Intensity IV (moderately strong; widely felt; windows and doors rattle; hanging objects swing noticeably) was reported in:
- City of Tabaco, City of Ligao, and Malilipot, Albay
- Cogon, Irosin, and Donsol, Sorsogon
Intensity III (weak to moderately felt; felt by many indoors; vibration similar to a passing truck) was reported in:
- City of Naga and Malinao, Albay
- City of Sorsogon, Prieto Diaz, and Juban, Sorsogon
Intensity II (slightly felt by few persons; delicate objects slightly disturbed) was reported in:
- Goa, Camarines Sur
- Bulan, Sorsogon
Instrumental Intensities
In addition to the above observer-reported intensities, PHIVOLCS seismic instruments recorded the following readings:
Intensity VI (very strong shaking; many persons run outdoors; some heavy furniture moved; slight to moderate damage in ordinary buildings) was instrumentally recorded in:
- Tabaco, Albay
Intensity V (instrumental) was recorded in:
- Castilla, Sorsogon
Intensity IV (instrumental) was recorded in:
- City of Sorsogon, Sorsogon
- Iriga City, Camarines Sur
Intensity III (instrumental) was recorded in:
- Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon
- Monreal, Masbate
- Sagnay, Sipocot, Pili, and Mercedes, Camarines Sur
Intensity II (instrumental) was recorded in:
- Pasacao and Ragay, Camarines Sur
- Milagros, Masbate
- San Roque and Gandara, Northern Samar
Damage and Aftershocks Expected
PHIVOLCS-DOST has explicitly stated that damage is expected from this earthquake. This assessment is consistent with the shallow depth and the instrumental recording of Intensity VI shaking in Tabaco, Albay — a level at which slight to moderate damage to ordinary structures can occur.
PHIVOLCS has also confirmed that aftershocks are expected. Residents in all affected areas should remain alert and be prepared for additional ground shaking following the main event.
What to Do
PHIVOLCS advises the public to stay calm and check their immediate surroundings for structural damage after any shaking subsides. If you are in an area where shaking was felt, inspect walls, ceilings, and staircases for cracks or damage before re-entering any building. Be prepared for aftershocks, which may follow the main earthquake.
PHIVOLCS-DOST noted that this bulletin is the only one that will be issued unless additional information becomes available.
Official Source
All data in this report is sourced exclusively from PHIVOLCS-DOST Earthquake Information No. 2, issued on June 5, 2026, at 10:46 PM PHT. An epicentral map is available on the official bulletin page.
Monitor official PHIVOLCS updates at phivolcs.dost.gov.ph.