By Glaiza Salanio

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake hit the land of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, on Saturday, December 2, according to the bulletin of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

A pregnant woman died, four were injured, and nine went missing after the earthquake, as stated by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

Teodoro also said that the earthquake affected 529 families, or 2,647 people, as reported by the Office of Civil Defense.

The tectonic earthquake affected different parts of Mindanao as well as some parts of Visayas at around 10:37 P.M. on Saturday.

After the quakes, tsunami warnings were released, all of which were later lifted on Sunday, December 3, at 1:14 A.M., Manila time. However, “minor sea level fluctuations” were expected to occur in some coastal areas.

MSU bombing

Meanwhile, on the same morning of December 3, an explosion occurred during a mass in Mindanao State University’s (MSU) Dimaporo Gym in Marawi City.

The bombing had left over four dead, nine injured, and 45 others hurt.

MSU condemned the incident, saying that they were “deeply saddened and appalled by the act of violence that occurred during a religious gathering at the university gymnasium this morning.”

The mass was held as part of the tradition of Catholics every first Sunday of the Advent season.

“Here in my province, we uphold basic human rights, and that includes the right to religion. Terroristic attacks on educational institutions must also be condemned because these are places that promote the culture of peace and mold our youth to be the future shapers of this country,” Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. said.

He urged the security sector to expedite its investigation and apprehend the perpetrators of the peril.

“To the families of those whose lives were lost in this senseless act of violence and terrorism, please accept our deepest condolences and sympathies. We will make sure justice will be served,” he added.

The incident happened two days after the terrorist group Dawlah Islamiyah’s leader and eleven of its alleged members were killed in air and ground assault military operations in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.

Thumbnail from Rappler