A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the island province of Leyte in central Philippines on Friday, with damage and aftershocks expected, its seismology agency said.
The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) recorded the quake at a magnitude of 5.9 and said the depth was 10 km.
There were no immediate reports from Philippine authorities of damage or casualties caused by the offshore quake.
The archipelago nation is in the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common.
"People panicked and rushed outside the mall," said Harold Giganto, a police officer in coastal Dulag town in Leyte, who was manning a checkpoint near a shopping mall when the earthquake struck.
Giganto said there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage and the tremor was "quite strong".
Russia, Ukraine agree to Oleshky ceasefire brokered by Melania Trump
Seven killed in attack at church funeral in Jordan
Gunman fires from car near Paris, killing 1
Injuries in Tibet rises to 76 after earthquake, death toll remains at 16
Tunisian police clash with protesters in capital on day of heightened tensions
