Strong quake rocks southern Philippines

MANILA. March 4. KAZINFORM Officials say a 5.7-magnitude earthquake has rocked the southern Philippines, collapsing the walls of some houses and sending residents fleeing from their homes. There were no reports of injuries so far; Kazinform refers to Arab News.

The government's seismology institute said Friday that the moderately strong earthquake struck offshore, 33 miles (54 kilometers) east of Surigao City.

Vice Mayor Alfred Arreza of Surigao del Sur province's Carrascal town said appliances tumbled and the walls of some houses collapsed when the quake struck late Thursday; Kazinform cites Arab News.

See www.arabnews.com for full version