Labuyo intensifies, moves to West Phl Sea

MANILA, Philippines- Typhoon "Labuyo" accelerated and slighlty gained strength after moving over the West Philippine Sea on Monday afternoon, the state weather bureau said.

PAGASA said the eye of Typhoon Labuyo was estimated at 230 kilometers northwest of Baguio City or 200 km west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur as of 4 p.m. today.

Labuyo was packed with maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

It is forecast to move northwest at 24 kph and is expected to be at 480 km Northwest of Baguio City by tomorrow afternoon or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Public storm warning signal No. 2 remains hoisted over Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Ilocos Sur, Benguet, La Union and Pangasinan.

The provinces of Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Isabela, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Ilocos Norte, Pampanga, Bataan and Zambales are under public storm warning signal no. 1.

PAGASA said moderate-heavy rainfall is expected within the 600-kilometer diameter of the typhoon.

Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under storm warning signals are alerted against possible flashfloods, landslides, and storm surges.

The weather bureau said Labuyo will enhance the Southwest Monsoon which will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains over Western section of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

As of Monday afternoon, only one fatality has been reported while 20 fishermen are still missing.

The state disaster agency identified the lone fatality as Joemar Salicon, 22, who was reported dead in Benguet.

Fourteen fishermen are still missing in Camarines Norte while six more are also missing in Bolinao, Pangasinan.