Coast Guard issues tsunami alert to ships

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard is on full alert for possible evacuation and rescue operations, officials said, following a tsunami alert by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in the wake of an 8.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan Friday afternoon.

At the same time, the PCG issued a notice to mariners warning ships and small sea craft on the eastern coast of country following the 2:08 p.m. advisory.

“Ships transiting coastal areas fronting the Pacific Ocean [are advised] to take maximum precautionary measures and/or to take shelter as necessary, and to continue to monitor further information on alert level,” PCG commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said in a statement sent by text to media outlets.

Tamayo said all PCG units as well as search-and-rescue and disaster response teams have been placed on “heightened alert. “

The admiral added that all PCG units having jurisdiction over coastal areas on the Pacific coast have been directed not to allow ships and other seacraft to sail or venture out to sea until the alert is lifted.

All PCG units were also directed to coordinate and initiate the recall of motorbancas and other sea vessels, he said.

Lieutenant Commander Armando Balilo, PCG spokesman, said they have been cooperating with the local government units and provincial disaster coordinating councils.