Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake in Sultan Kudarat Confirmed as January’s Strongest Tremor

Powerful 5.9 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Sultan Kudarat, Marks Month’s Strongest Seismic Event

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake shook Sultan Kudarat province in the southern Philippines on January 28, registering as the strongest seismic event recorded in the country this month, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

The powerful tremor struck at approximately 4:23 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located 11 kilometers southeast of Palimbang municipality at a depth of 10 kilometers. The shallow nature of the earthquake contributed to the intensity of shaking felt across multiple provinces in Mindanao.

PHIVOLCS reported that the earthquake was tectonic in origin, resulting from movement along fault lines within the earth’s crust. The agency documented Intensity VI shaking (classified as “very strong”) in Palimbang, where residents experienced difficulty standing, hanging objects swung violently, and some structural damage was observed in poorly constructed buildings.

“This earthquake represents typical activity along the Cotabato Trench fault system, which is one of the major seismic sources in Mindanao,” explained Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, PHIVOLCS Director. “While concerning, this magnitude is within the expected range for this tectonically active region.”

Neighboring areas experienced less severe but still significant shaking, with Intensity V (strong) reported in Kiamba, Maitum, and Sarangani province. Intensity IV (moderately strong) was felt in General Santos City, Koronadal City, and parts of South Cotabato and North Cotabato provinces.

Local officials in Sultan Kudarat immediately activated emergency response protocols following the earthquake. Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu directed municipal disaster risk reduction management offices to conduct rapid assessments of affected areas.

“We have teams on the ground evaluating infrastructure and providing assistance where needed,” Mangudadatu stated in a press briefing. “Initial reports indicate minor damages to some residential structures, but thankfully no casualties have been confirmed at this time.”

The earthquake triggered concern among residents, many of whom evacuated buildings as a precautionary measure. Social media platforms were flooded with eyewitness accounts and videos showing shaking homes and swaying light fixtures.

The Philippines sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean. This geographical position makes the archipelago particularly vulnerable to seismic activity. The country experiences approximately 20 earthquakes daily, though most are too weak to be felt without specialized equipment.

Last year, the Philippines recorded over 2,000 earthquakes of varying magnitudes, with several causing significant damage in various regions. The most devastating recent earthquake in the country’s history was the 7.8 magnitude Luzon earthquake in 1990, which killed over 1,600 people.

Following the Sultan Kudarat earthquake, PHIVOLCS issued advisories warning about potential aftershocks, which are common following seismic events of this magnitude. By January 29, the agency had recorded more than 30 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 2.0 to 4.5.

“Aftershocks are expected to continue for several days or even weeks, gradually diminishing in frequency and intensity,” noted PHIVOLCS science research specialist Joan Cruz. “We continue to monitor seismic activity in the region closely.”

The Sultan Kudarat earthquake has renewed calls from experts for improved earthquake preparedness and stricter enforcement of building codes, particularly in vulnerable regions. The Philippine government has been working to enhance its disaster risk reduction capabilities through initiatives like the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, which aims to build community resilience to natural disasters.

As of January 29, no earthquakes of greater magnitude had been recorded in the Philippines, confirming the Sultan Kudarat tremor as the most powerful seismic event of the month.