LOOK: Phivolcs finds ground rupture in quake-hit Leyte

MANILA - The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday found the ground rupture caused by the magnitude 6.5 earthquake that rattled Leyte province last week.

The ground rupture was discovered in several villages in Ormoc town, the epicenter of the tremor that was generated by the movement of the Philippine Fault, said Phivolcs director Renato Solidum.

"Nakita namin iyung fault mismo na kumilos, o iyung kanyang ginawang ground rapture na tumama sa ilang barangay at bahay," Solidum said in a phone interview with radio DZMM.

(We traced the fault that moved and the ground rupture it caused in several villages and houses.)

In some areas in Ormoc's Barangay Tongonan, the earthquake caused the ground to move 1.2 meters horizontally and half a meter vertically, he said.

"Ang pagkilos po ng fault ay mas malakas ang pahalang," Solidum added.

(The movement of the fault was stronger horizontally.)

Solidum said he met with Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez and Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez on Sunday night and recommended a ban on the construction of buildings within 5 meters of the fault.

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The Phivolcs chief also urged residents to stay away from areas where the earthquake triggered landslides.

"Dahil nagkaroon ng lindol, naging mahina na ang slope o dalisdis. Ang babantayan nila, 'pag dumating ang malalakas na ulan ay delikado," he said.

(Because of the earthquake, the slope of these areas weakened. They should watch out for strong rains.)

At least two people were killed while over 100 people were brought to hospitals after Thursday's quake.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has recorded over 1,700 partially damaged and 700 totally damaged houses in the areas hit by the tremor.

-- Report from Jorge Cariño, ABS-CBN News