By Gabriela Baron
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake hit Boliney, Abra Monday, Dec. 19, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
The tectonic tremor hit five kilometers (km) northeast of Boliney at 5:06 p.m.
It had a depth of focus of 45 km.
Intensity IV was felt in Banayoyo Ilocos Sur; Intensity II in Baguio City, Benguet; and Intensity I in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.
Meanwhile, Instrumental Intensity IV was reported in Vigan City Ilocos Sur; Instrumental III in Bangued, Abra; Intensity II in Baguio City, Benguet; Sinait, Ilocos Sur; Santiago City, Isabela; Intensity I in Penablanca and Gonzaga Cagayan; Laoag City, Nueva Era, and Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte; Tagudin, Ilocos Sur.
Damages and aftershocks are expected.