Kalamansig: About 800 families in several coastal villages of Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat province vacated their homes and proceeded to higher grounds due to successive earthquake aftershocks over the past 24 hours. This came after town officials ordered a preemptive evacuation of residents living in the coastal barangays due to continuous aftershocks.

According to Philippines News Agency, on Wednesday night, Mayor Ronan Eugene Garcia ordered a preemptive evacuation after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported over 450 aftershocks following the magnitude 5.2 quake on Jan. 19 that shook the town and nearby areas. Mayor Garcia expressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the importance of safety as he urged residents to move to safer grounds, covered courts, and evacuation areas due to the unusual frequency of the tremors.

The mayor also mandated that all fisherfolk and residents temporarily cease fishing and other sea-related activities to prevent any harm in the event of a tsunami. The latest tremor, a magnitude 4.5 earthquake, was recorded by the municipal intensity meter at 8:59 p.m. on Wednesday, adding to the residents' concerns.

Mayor Garcia highlighted that these successive mild aftershocks could potentially indicate something more significant is forthcoming, thus necessitating precautionary measures. In response to the ongoing situation, Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu issued an executive order extending the suspension of classes and government work in the affected areas of Kalamansig, Lebak, and Palimbang.

The evacuees from Kalamansig are primarily from the villages of Sta. Clara, Pag-asa, Datu Ito Andong, Nalilidan, Dumangas Nuevo, Sta. Maria, Cadiz, Sangay, Paril, and Poblacion.