MANILA: The Philippines evacuated coastal areas and put emergency workers on alert yesterday as a storm expected to grow into a super typhoon headed towards central islands.
Typhoon Haiyan, with gusts of up to 185kmph, was moving over the sea at 30kmph and may make landfall at noon tomorrow in the central islands of Samar and Leyte, said Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo.
“We are advising the people to secure their homes because we are expecting a a super typhoon. It’s the Pacific but has gained speed and may enter our area of responsibility by tomorrow.”
Officials in the central Cebu, Bohol and Albay areas have closed schools and prepared emergency shelters and food.
“We’re aiming for zero casualties so we have sent advisories to local disaster agencies to start evacuating people from coastal and low-lying areas as well as those in landslide-prone areas,” said Flor Gaviola, a regional disaster official.
Thousands of people on Bohol island are still in shelters after their homes were destroyed in the October 15 earthquake that killed more than 200 people. About 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year.
Manila, HK bid to resolve crisis
MANILA: The Philippines and Hong Kong are both taking steps to resolve the issues arising from the 2010 deadly Manila hostage crisis, a Palace official said yesterday.
In a statement, Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma reiterated the three other concerns of Hong Kong besides its demand of a formal apology from the Philippines.
These concerns are compensation for the affected families of the Hong Kong victims, the prosecution of Filipinos who were deemed responsible for the tragedy, and adoption of preventive measures.
“Both sides are working quietly to address these concerns and reach a mutually satisfactory conclusion,” Coloma said.
The Cabinet official said during the meeting of President Benigno Aquino III and Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung in Brunei Darussalam last month, both leaders had agreed that the two countries “will work to reach a mutually satisfactory closure” on the hostage crisis issues.
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