Texts claim Earthquake to hit Philippines

Update: The government is saying the texts were a hoax.

[q
url="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080514-136548/Strong-Philippine-quake-Wednesday-night-a-hoax--officials"]

An
earthquake in the Philippines as an aftermath of the strong tremor that
rocked China Monday is a "hoax" as no organization can predict the
occurrence of such natural disaster, officials said Wednesday.

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Anthony Golez issued
the statement after text messages circulated that the Philippines would
be hit by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake Wednesday night.

"Rumors of strong earthquake are common after a disastrous
earthquake event in nearby countries,” said Golez, who is also the
Palace deputy spokesman.

But he said there is “no organization capable of predicting an
earthquake which is very specific in terms of magnitude and date."

[/q]

Makati City, Philippines - Text messages circulate around the Philippines warning citizens of an impending 6.8 earthquake tonight, as predicted by the United States Geological Society.

Full message reads: "US geological society predicts a 6.8 magnitude earthquake wil hit Phils plates 2nyt.  Pls b calm and alert.  This msg is frm Hawaii state emergency preparedness office."

I tried verifying the report through the internet and found nothing.  According to the US Geological Survey, an 5.3 magnitude earthquake was felt last night, May 13, and not tonight. 

I'm putting this down as a text prank-cum-hoax.  But heck, it pays to be alert.

I'll be updating this post if indeed anything happens.

If proven futile, I'll change this post's title to "Text prank sends message of panic"...and write a paper on "Text messaging and the Philippine society".