Coast Guard on ‘heightened alert’ due to ‘Pablo’

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MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine Coast Guard headquarters in Manila has placed on “heightened alert” all PCG units nationwide, especially those expected to be in the path of typhoon “Pablo.”

In an advisory, Rear Admiral Luis Tuason Jr., PCG officer-in-charge and vice commandant for operations, on Monday ordered all the agency’s districts and stations to “brace … for the coming onslaught which will be brought by the typhoon (International name: Bopha).”

Tuason also directed all PCG district commanders in areas expected to be affected by the weather disturbance to “coordinate with their respective Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for possible rescue and related activities.”

He also advised operators of fishing boats and interisland vessels to “avoid sailing in the eastern section of the country where sea conditions are rough.”

“Operators of boats with open decks and fishermen in areas not directly affected by the typhoon should exercise extra diligence in sailing as sea conditions may still be rough. They should also wear safety gears while at sea,” according to Tuason.

The PCG head also reminded interisland vessels to “refrain from sailing once a public storm signal has been hoisted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration … in areas which will be affected by the said typhoon.”