Not aftershocks: Davao Oriental hit by rare ‘doublet'

Two strong earthquakes that struck Davao Oriental on Friday were classified as a rare “doublet,” or two separate but closely timed quakes, a Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) official said yesterday.

- By CHRISTINE BOTON and MARK ERNEST VILLEZA

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake hit waters 44 kilometers northeast of Manay, Davao Oriental, early Friday morning, killing at least two people.

Hours later, past7 p.m., a separate magnitude 6.8 temblor also struck offshore.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said the magnitude 6.8 event was not an aftershock but a distinct earthquake.

"A doublet earthquake means two closely timed quakes that happened almost in the same area. But they have different epicenters and strengths," he said.