A 7.1 magnitude earthquake jolted northern Philippines island on early Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said. The tremors caused minor damages and people to flee from their buildings. No casualty or major damage has been reported so far.
According to USGS, the epicentre was about 13 kilometres southeast of the small town of Dolores, with a depth of 10 kilometres.
The Philippines has rejected China’s demand to remove its naval ship anchored on a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, its defence chief said on Thursday, adding that Chinese coast guard ships should leave the area and stop blocking Manila’s supply boats.
The Philippines intentionally grounded a warship, BRP Sierra Madre, at the Second Thomas shoal in 1999 to reinforce Manila's sovereignty claims in the Spratly archipelago, according to Reuters.