A magnitude-6.2 earthquake struck the Philippines early on Thursday, the US Geological Survey said.
Local authorities have warned of aftershocks and possible damage.
The earthquake struck at a depth of 124km at about 10am local time in waters about three hours' drive from the capital, Manila.
Calatagan municipality police chief Emil Mendoza said he and his staff rushed outside following the tremor, which was also felt across the country's heavily populated heartland, including Manila.
“It was a bit strong. We had to run outside,” Mr Mendoza told AFP.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, he said.
Calatagan disaster officer Ronald Torres said the quake lasted between 30 seconds and a minute.
The earthquake sent people rushing out of buildings in the capital.
Diego Mariano, information officer at the Civil Defence Office, said authorities were assessing the effects of the quake.
“As of now, no major damage or casualties as of reporting time. Assessment still ongoing,” Mr Mariano said.
Quakes are a common occurrence in the Philippines, which sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an arc of intense seismic and volcanic activity that stretches from Japan through South-East Asia and across the Pacific basin.
In October 2013, a magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck Bohol Island in the central Philippines, triggering landslides and killing more than 200 people.
Old churches in the birthplace of Catholicism in the Philippines were badly damaged. About 400,000 were displaced while tens of thousands of houses were damaged due to the quake.
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Third Test
Result: India won by 203 runs
Series: England lead five-match series 2-1
