Philippines hit by earthquake

A moderately strong earthquake cracked buildings and knocked televisions and glassware from tables today in a central Philippine province, injuring at least five people and sending others rushing outside in panic, officials said.

Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2 struck this morning and was centred just two miles north of Masbate City on the island province of Masbate.