A MAGNITUDE 5.6 earthquake occurred on Saturday morning in Davao Oriental, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs chief Teresito Bacolcol told The Manila Times that the tremor took place around 4:01 a.m. some 51 kilometers southeast of Governor Generoso, also in the same province.

With a depth of focus of 61 km, the earthquake was tectonic in origin, he said.

Phivolcs said Intensity 4 was felt in Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental; Bansalan, Davao del Sur; Malapatan and Malungon, Sarangani, while Intensity 3 in City of Davao; City of Mati, Davao Oriental; Alabel, Glan, and Kiamba, Sarangani; City of Koronadal, Polomolok, Tampakan, and Tupi, South Cotabato; and City of General Santos.

Meanwhile, Intensity 2 was felt in the City of Kidapawan, Arakan, M'lang, Makilala, and Pikit, Cotabato; Maasim, Sarangani; Surallah, South Cotabato; and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

The agency said Instrumental Intensity 4 was recorded in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; City of Kidapawan, Cotabato; and Malapatan, Sarangani while Intensity 3 in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; City of Davao; Glan, Kiamba, and Maasim, Sarangani; City of Koronadal, Polomolok, Tampakan, and Tupi, South Cotabato; and City of General Santos.

Intensity 2 in Maitum, Sarangani; T'Boli, South Cotabato; Columbio, Sultan Kudarat and Intensity 1 in Bukidnon; and Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, and Tantangan, South Cotabato, Phivolcs said.

Bacolcol said damage to property is not expected from the latest tremor. 'But aftershocks are possible,' the Phivolcs head said.