The quake, measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale, struck Samar Island at 1:00 am (1700 GMT Tuesday) with the epicenter plotted at sea 68 kilometersmiles) off the city of Catarman on the island's north coast.

It was caused by the subsea movement of the Philippine trench, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

The civil defense office here said there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Quakes with a magnitude of six or seven usually cause damage near their epicenter.

TERRA.WIRE