Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Director Renato Solidum Jr. compared earthquake swarm in Batangas to Fernando Poe Jr.’s jabs and not on Manny Pacquiao’s big-time punch.
“Parang suntok ni Fernando Poe, madami,” he said according to an article published by Interaksyon prior to his interview with DZMM.
“Sunod-sunod [ito] na lindol na wala kang makikitang distinct na malaki,” he said, explaining that Batangas tremors were different from the magnitude-6.7 earthquake that struck Surigao last February 10, 2017.
“Tapos ‘yong suntok ni Manny Pacquiao, isang suntok mo lang tulog ka na. ‘Yon ‘yong major earthquake,” the Phivolcs chief noted.
“Ang Mabini ay dati nang part ng volcano kaya may geothermal ‘yan eh. So maganda rin ‘yon kasi sa isang bansa ‘yong bato sa ilalim ay hindi masyadong matigas dahil mainit. Eh pagka malambot ng kaunti, hindi s’ya p’wedeng makapag-ipon ng napakalaking energy,” said Solidum. “So hanggang d’yan lang…mga moderate earthquakes lang ang kaya n’yang maipon at mai-release… at sa lumang bulkan po, hindi masyadong malalakas ang earthquake,” he said refering to mostly hit Mabini, Batangas.
PHIVOLCS chief warned the public about linking the series of earthquakes in Batangas to the feared motion of the West Valley Fault which might trigger the so-called “Big One.”
The 100-kilometer fault traverses parts of Bulacan through Quezon City, Marikina, Makati, Pasig, Taguig and Muntinlupa in Metro Manila; San Pedro, Biñan, Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba in Laguna; and Carmona, General Mariano Alvarez and Silang in Cavite.