DOST chief dispels ‘man-made earthquake’ claims

National

DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology (DOST) Sec. Renato Solidum Jr. has refuted circulating claims that recent earthquakes in the Philippines were “man-made,” calling them baseless and scientifically impossible.

The statement comes after social media users alleged that the tremors were caused by the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP), a U.S.-based atmospheric research project.

HAARP studies the ionosphere—an upper layer of Earth’s atmosphere that affects communication and radio signals—but has long been the subject of conspiracy theories.

Solidum stressed that no existing technology is capable of generating or controlling earthquakes. He explained that quakes occur naturally when stress along geological faults or trenches is released.

“We don’t have that technology yet. We cannot equalize the stress or energy accumulated in faults to produce a strong earthquake,” Solidum said in a Daily Tribune report.

He also warned the public against believing viral posts predicting a catastrophic “Big One,” urging citizens to rely only on verified sources such as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

According to him, while the Philippines experiences 30 to 50 small tremors daily, there remains no scientific way to predict the exact time or location of a major quake.

Solidum added that recent strong earthquakes are not unusual, noting that improved monitoring systems now allow scientists to detect and report seismic activity more efficiently across the archipelago. He reminded the public to stay prepared by securing heavy furniture, complying with the National Building Code, and participating in earthquake drills.

Phivolcs reported that the 6.9-magnitude quake that struck Cebu on September 30 was followed by a 7.4-magnitude tremor in Davao Oriental on October 10.

The two events are considered a “doublet,” a term used for closely timed, similarly strong quakes—a natural occurrence rather than an artificial one.

Experts continue to warn about the potential “Big One,” a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that could occur if the West Valley Fault ruptures. The fault runs through several Metro Manila cities including Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, Taguig, and Muntinlupa.

Studies suggest the fault moves roughly every 400 to 600 years, and the last major event was around four centuries ago.(Xienderlyn Trinidad, USJ-R Comm Intern)