The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicentre of the quake struck from a depth of 44 kilometres north of the city of Dumaguete, Negros island. Half an hour later, two tremors were felt in the region.
The quake killed at least 44 people and caused panic in cities where buildings shook, authorities said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issued tsunami alert level 2 for central coastal areas. It advises coastal residents to be alert for tsunami.
Earlier, on February 5, an earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale jolted Mindanao, the second largest island of the Philippines, with the depth of its epicentre being 504.80 km.
VNA
