The shallow but powerful quake hit the mountainous province of Abra on the main island of Luzon, according to the US Geological Survey.
Windows were shattered at the quake’s epicenter and the tremors were felt in high-rise buildings more than 300 kilometers away in the capital, Manila.
In Dolores, where the full force of the quake was felt, terrified people fled their homes and windows at the local market were destroyed.
“The earthquake was very strong,” police officer Edwin Sergio told AFP, adding that the police station sustained minor cracks in the quake.
So far, no personal injuries or major material damage have been reported.