Updates on Earthquake in Visayas: Tsunami alert has been cancelled

(UPDATE 2) A tsunami alert has been lifted but vigilance should remain, Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said.

"As of 2:30 pm, level 2 is canceled. The alert was for the eastern side of Negros and western coast of Cebu. But we will continue to monitor," said Solidum in a phone interview with Yahoo! Southeast Asia.

Earlier in the day, Phivolcs placed several areas on tsunami alert Level 2, following a 6.9-magnitude quake in Negros and Cebu.

Panic and worry gripped several PH areas while netizens called for calm and prayers as Phivolcs issued the bulletin warning to alert the public for unusual waves.

Phivolcs reported a strong local earthquake with a depth of 10 km occurred offshore Negros Oriental at 11:49 a.m.

“People are advised to stay away from the shoreline. People should not go to the coast to watch the tsunami. People whose houses are very near coastal areas of Negros and Cebu islands are strongly advised to be watchful,” Phivolcs earlier warned.

According to an ABS-CBN report, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chief Benito Ramos said the quake has killed one person - a child from Tayasan, Negros Oriental after a wall fell on him.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement that President Benigno Aquino III has already tasked PHIVOLCS to monitor the affected areas for further seismic activity.

Lacierda said Coast Guard Chief Edmund Tan has been instructed to prevent fishermen from going out to sea for the duration of the alert, while Department of Social Welfare and Development personnel are already on standby to lend support and relief to affected citizens.

“While there are no forced evacuations being ordered, we implore the people in affected areas to remain vigilant and take the necessary safety precautions. Let us cooperate with government agencies, allow them to do their work, and remain calm and watchful,” he said.