A total of 2,264 earthquakes have been recorded in offshore Sultan Kudarat since January 19, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Thursday. As of 7 a.m., the PHIVOLCS said that of the total earthquakes, 84 were felt. The PHIVOLCS earlier said that the series of earthquakes in the area may have been caused by movements along the Cotabato Trench. PHIVOLCS chief Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said the earthquake swarm was probably caused by stress slowly being released along the trench.OK“It may or may not lead to a larger event... Earthquake swarms do not automatically mean that a stronger earthquake will follow,” he said. If any of these are observed, IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE to higher ground or away from the sea.)