Typhoon Pepito strands over 3,000 in PH ports

Over 3,000 individuals were stranded in various ports across the Philippines as sea travel was suspended due to the impending arrival of Typhoon Pepito.

As of Saturday morning, 3,217 passengers, drivers, and helpers were held at Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas ports, with the Bicol Region reporting the highest number of stranded individuals at 1,957.

In addition to stranded passengers, two vessels and 1,217 rolling cargoes faced delays in Bicol, while Eastern Visayas had 1,015 individuals and 365 rolling cargoes stranded.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has also suspended sea travel in Zambales due to expected rough sea conditions.

Super Typhoon Pepito intensified with maximum sustained winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

The super typhoon was last located 185 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar, and was heading west-northwest at 25 kph.