Magnitude 5.2 Aftershock Rattles Davao Occidental and SOCCSKSARGEN

A magnitude 5.2 offshore earthquake shook parts of Mindanao on Wednesday evening, August 19, 2026, at 7:01 PM. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the epicenter was located southwest of Balut Island, within the municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental. The tectonic event registered a depth of focus of 67 kilometers.

State seismologists confirmed that this tremor is an aftershock of the destructive magnitude 7.8 Offshore Sarangani and magnitude 6.5 Offshore Davao Occidental earthquakes that struck the region in June 2026.

Reported Intensities (What People Felt)

The earthquake generated varying levels of shaking across nearby provinces:

Intensity III (Moderately Strong): Sarangani, Davao Occidental; General Santos City; Kiamba, Sarangani

Intensity II (Slightly Felt): Maasim and Maitum, Sarangani; Tupi and Tampakan, South Cotabato; Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat

Intensity I (Scarcely Perceptible): Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

Instrumental Intensities (Sensor Measurements)

PHIVOLCS monitoring stations recorded the following seismic impacts:

Intensity III: Kiamba and Malapatan, Sarangani; General Santos City; T'Boli, South Cotabato

Intensity II: Sarangani, Davao Occidental; Tupi, South Cotabato; Maitum, Maasim, and Malungon, Sarangani; Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat

Intensity I: Surallah and Tampakan, South Cotabato; Kidapawan City, Cotabato; Digos City, Davao del Sur; Santa Maria, Davao Occidental

No immediate structural damage or casualties have been reported, but authorities continue to advise residents to stay vigilant as aftershocks from the June major seismic events remain expected.

Courtesy: DOST-PHIVOLCS