Philippines jolted by 5.3 magnitude earthquake

Officials say two moderately strong earthquakes have hit the northwestern Philippines with no damage reported so far. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology says the 5.3 magnitude temblor before dawn Friday was centered 10.5 miles (17 kilometers) southwest of Looc township on Lubang island in Mindoro Occidental province. It was felt in Manila, some 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast. Hours earlier, a 5.1 earthquake struck the same area, causing no damage. A 5.2 earthquake Tuesday cracked buildings in the central Philippines, injuring 10 people. Last month, 58 people died in a quake on another Philippine island. The Philippines is in the so-called Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where earthquakes and volcanic activity are common.