Coast Guard: Thousands stranded at 16 sea ports due to ‘Pablo’

Passenger vessels are stranded after the Cuast Guard announced early Tuesday the cancelation of trips of inter-island vessels in Manila, Visayas and Mindanao due to Typhoon “Pablo”. JUNJIE MENDOZA/CEBU DAILY NEWS

MANILA, Philippines–More than 3,430 passengers of 93 interisland vessels were stranded Tuesday in 16 major sea ports, including those in Manila and parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, affected by Typhoon “Pablo,” according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

In a report Tuesday morning, the PCG said the stranded passengers were reported in the following ports: Manila, 939 passengers; Cebu City, 687; Dumaguete City, 142; Tagbilaran City, 11; Catbalogan, Samar, 15; Maasin City, Southern Leyte, 97; Iloilo City, 729; Bacolod City, 84; Caticlan, Aklan, 20; Roxas City, 2; Cagayan de Oro City, 97; Surigao City, 80; Butuan City, 146; Iligan City, 14; Ozamiz City, 190; and Dapitan City, 180.

The ships barred from sailing include 41 in Cebu; 10 in Cagayan de Oro; eight each in Iloilo and Caticlan; six in Bacolod; and two in Manila.

Eight of the vessels are reportedly carrying 50 buses and 44 other rolling cargoes.

Up to 46 motor bancas, including 17 in Surigao, were also reported to be stranded in eight ports in the Visayas and Mindanao.

At least five vessels, including four in Catbalogan, have taken shelter in PCG-designated areas, according to the PCG public affairs office in Manila.

Lt. Commander Armand Balilo, the PCG spokesperson, meanwhile, said all Coast Guard units nationwide were still on heightened alert because of the weather disturbance.

Balilo in an earlier advisory said PCG stations were directed to closely monitor the situation in their respective areas, especially sea routes and coastal areas on the path of the typhoon.