Cablegate: Philippine Earthquake - 6.O Richter Scale

VZCZCXRO6345
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #3777 3310843
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 270843Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9007
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 003777

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR S/ES-CMR, EAP/EX, OBO/OM/AM/EAP, OPS CENTER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ABLD AMGT ASEC CASC KSAF RP
SUBJECT: PHILIPPINE EARTHQUAKE - 6.O RICHTER SCALE

1. Manila experienced a 6.0 magnitude earthquake at 12:27 PM (04:27
UCT) today, November 27, 2007. Post immediately communicated with
offices and conducted building assessments, per established action
plans. There were no reported injuries or structural damages to USG
staff or facilities, nor were there any reports of damage in other
parts of the country according to local news reports. There are
also no known US ships at port in affected areas, and the Consular
Section has not identified any affected Americans, nor has the Peace
Corps.
2. According to U.S. Geological Survey's Web site, the epicenter's
location was 16.0370N, 119.9060E. This location is 195 km (120
miles) NW of Manila (a peninsula on the west coast of northern
Luzon). Similar reports were posted on Filipino and Japanese
geological Web sites.
3. The Ambassador called a meeting of action offices to discuss
measures taken immediately following the earthquake and what
measures should be addresses in the future.

4. Earthquakes are a real and frequent threat in the Philippines.
Earthquake guidance is part of Post's regular Newcomers briefings
and is widely communicated to all Mission personnel during its
regularly-held emergency preparedness town hall meetings. An
Earthquake drill was also featured during Post's recent crisis
management exercise. Post issued a Mission-wide OpenNet broadcast,
as well as a cell phone SMS text alert to all staff and family
members which communicated events and guidance within an hour of
today's earthquake. The Consular Section is posting a notice on its
warden website.

5. Post will continue to monitor geological and news reports for
further information and will relay any negative change in status.

KENNEY

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