‘Agaton’ strands thousands at various ports

AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Tropical Depression Agaton, the first cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, has stranded a total of 9,574 passengers in various ports in the Bicol region and in Central and Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Coast Guard reported Saturday.

According to Cmdr. Ivan Roldan of the Philippine Coast Guard, 1,809 passengers were stranded at the port in Catbalogan, Samar, and 7,104 were left waiting at the port in Matnog, Sorsogon.

The Coast Guard also reported passengers stranded at ports in Dumaguete, Tagbilaran, Maasin, Camarines Sur, and Masbate.

Roldan said Coast Guard units were on heightened alert to respond to emergencies.