8 regions under highest emergency preparedness due to TS Kristine

Eight regions in the Philippines have been placed under the highest level of emergency preparedness due to Tropical Storm Kristine, with the "Charlie" protocol activated by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

These high-risk areas include the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos (Region 1), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Calabarzon (Region 4A), Mimaropa (Region 4B), Bicol (Region 5), and Eastern Visayas (Region 8).

OCD spokesperson Director Edgar Posadas stated that preemptive and forced evacuations may be implemented, alongside the deployment of rapid response teams and additional resources.

As of 4 p.m. on October 22, Tropical Storm Kristine was located 390 kilometers east of Daet, Camarines Norte, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph and gusts of up to 90 kph.

Signal No. 2 has been raised over Bicol provinces and parts of Northern and Eastern Samar, while Signal No. 1 covers several other regions, including Metro Manila.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is under the "Bravo" protocol (moderate risk), while other regions are under the "Alpha" protocol (low risk).