5.7 magnitude quake rocks southern Philippines

Manila: Officials say a 5.7 magnitude earthquake has rocked the southern Philippines, collapsing the walls of some houses and sending residents fleeing from their homes.

There are no reports of injuries.

The government's seismology institute said Friday that the moderately strong earthquake struck offshore, 33 miles (54 kilometres) east of Surigao City.

Vice Mayor Alfred Arreza of Surigao del Sur province's Carrascal township said appliances tumbled and the walls of some houses collapsed when the quake struck late Thursday. A wall of a church and a portion of a seawall also collapsed while a highway was damaged.

The Philippine archipelago lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire where earthquakes are common.