Over 900 passengers stranded in Albay, Sorsogon ports as ‘Rolly’ barrels toward Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY — At least 905 passengers were reported stranded in ports of Albay and Sorsogon on Saturday morning as Typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni) approaches the Bicol region.

Ensign Ryan Oloya, acting operations officer of Philippine Coast Guard – Bicol, said in a report that as of 8 a.m., 125 passengers were stranded in Pio Duran port and six others in Tabaco City in Albay.

In Sorsogon, 757 passengers were stranded in Matnog and 17 in Pilar port.

At least 439 rolling cargoes, 31 fishing vessels and six motor boats were also stranded.

Vessel operators  were advised not to set sail since Friday morning.

On Thursday, the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol has also ordered a “no-sailing” policy for local fishermen.

In its 5 a.m. severe weather update, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical an Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Typhoon Rolly moved closer to the Bicol region on Saturday morning.

It was spotted 655 kilometers east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 265 kph, while moving west at 20 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal number 2 was raised over Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon and the eastern part of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, Tinambac, Siruma, Presentacion, San Jose, Goa, Buhi, Sagnay, Tigaon, Ocampo, Iriga City, Baao, Nabua, Bato, Balatan, Bula, Pili, Calabanga, Naga City, Bombon, Magarao, Canaman, Gainza, Milaor, Camaligan, Minalabac).

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