Storm and earthquke hit Philippines; death toll reached 17

5.8-magnitude quake hit Philippines early on Tuesday (May 10)

MANILA, Philippines – There are no immediate reports of damage as a result of an 5.8-magnitude earthquake that jolted the southern Philippine island Mindano in the wee hours of Tuesday.

According to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); the earthquake struck at about 3.13 am (local time) 160km east-southeast of the city of General Santos at a depth of 35km.

On the other hand, northeastern Philippines is already under tropical storm threat Aere which threatened the Philippines' agricultural north Monday after punching the eastern coast and the capital with fierce winds and rain that left 17 people dead and forced thousands to escape, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Tuesday.

The storm struck into Catanduanes province on Sunday with winds of 85 km per hour and gusts of 100 km per hour.

It triggered landslides and floods, disrupted transportation and knocked out power in some towns.