Earthquake jolts southern Philippines

No immediate reports of damage

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updated 11:02 a.m. ET March 3, 2008

MANILA, Philippines - An earthquake measuring 6.9 rocked the Bicol region southeast of Manila late Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

Philippine scientists put the preliminary magnitude at 6.5.

The quake was felt in Legazpi city in Albay province, site of the restive Mayon volcano, and southern Leyte province. There were unconfirmed reports of a power outage.

The quake hit at 10:11 p.m. with an epicenter in the ocean 114 miles northeast of Catarman in Northern Samar province, at a depth of 35 miles, said Ishmael Narag, head of the seismology section of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

"We're expecting minor damage in areas near the epicenter," Narag said, saying no tsunami warning was issued "because it's deep."

This breaking news story will be updated.

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