MANILA -- In light of concerns about a possible tsunami hitting the Philippines after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile February 27, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs) said Monday (March 1) that the threat is over. Renato Solidum, Phivolcs chief, lifted the tsunami warning on Sunday afternoon.  He said the initial waves earlier on Sunday had been small and most of the Pacific Islands had been spared damage.

"The Philippines and Japan are the last countries in the Pacific Ocean to get hit in the event of a tsunami. This is the reason why we were one of the last countries to lift the tsunami warning," Solidum said.

Before the Chile quake, a series of earthquakes rocked the Philippines, Japan and New Zealand on Saturday. Phivolcs recorded a magnitude 5.3 quake in General Santos City and 3.3 quake quake in Butuan.

But Japan had a stronger magnitude 6.9 quake.

Solidum also advised local governments and schools across the country should step up their earthquake drills.