An earthquake measuring 6.9 magnitudes on the Richter scale hit a sea area 271 km of Batan Islands off northeast Philippines at 10:59 a.m. (0259 GMT) on Monday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The epicenter of the quake was initially determined to be 22.247 degrees north latitude and 123.733 degrees east longitude. It is 270 km from Tai-Tung city of Taiwan, the USGS said.

There are no reports of casualties and damages so far.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where continental plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.