FILIPINO WORKER CHECKS POWER CABLE AFTER EARTHQUAKE IN PHILIPPINES, 1999-12-12 (photo)

A Filipino power worker checks overhead electric power cables hours after an earthquake struck in Manila December 12. The quake, which struck at 1803 GMT and registered a magnitude of 6.8 on the open-ended Richter scale, knocked out power in parts of Manila and in several provinces of Luzon, the country's largest island.The quake was centered off the coast of Pangasinan in the northern Philippines, about 180 kilometres (112 miles) and there were no reports of buildings collapsing. Reports further said that damage was likely to be limited to old and poorly built structures. EDC/PB