Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat — Residents of coastal communities in Palimbang town sought safety on higher ground following a magnitude 5.9 earthquake that struck the province shortly after midnight on Easter Sunday.
According to the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), most evacuees returned to their homes after being advised it was safe by local disaster officials. The earthquake, which occurred at 12:11 a.m., had a shallow depth of just 1 kilometer and was tectonic in origin, contributing to the strong shaking experienced across the region.
The tremor was strongly felt at Intensity 5 in Palimbang and Lebak in Sultan Kudarat, as well as Kiamba in Sarangani province. Neighboring areas recorded lower intensities, with widespread reports from towns across South Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Cotabato Province, and even as far as Zamboanga City.
Despite the intensity, there have been no confirmed reports of damage. Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu reassured residents that no tsunami alert was raised, particularly in vulnerable coastal towns like Lebak. He urged the public to remain calm yet alert, especially in light of the 64 aftershocks recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) as of Sunday afternoon. Of those, 18 were plotted, with 8 felt in various areas.
Ongoing assessments by PDRRMO teams aim to determine the full extent of any structural or environmental impact. Local officials, such as Lebak’s municipal agriculturist Rene Sanchez, confirmed they had received early warnings and experienced no damage, thanks to effective communication and preparedness efforts.
The safety and security of Sultan Kudarat residents remain a top priority, with continuous monitoring and clear guidance from local and national disaster management agencies helping to ensure community resilience in the face of natural disasters.
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