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PCG bans vessels from sailing in 10 areas due to Typhoon Auring
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Jan 4, 2009 - 10:00:12 AM

MANILA, Jan. 5 (PNA) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) prevented on Sunday vessels from traveling at sea in 10 areas in the country due to Storm Signal No. 1 of typhoon “Auring”.

Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, ordered the temporary ban of traveling at sea as part of standard operating procedure (SOP) to avoid another sea tragedy.

It was recalled that M/V Princess of the Stars capsized on June 21, 2008 that claimed several lives due to typhoon Frank.

The M/V Princess of the Stars left the Port of Manila for its voyage to Cebu on June 20, this year. However, just before noontime the next day, upon reaching Sibuyan Island of Romblon province, the vessel entered the eye of Typhoon Frank and was met by strong winds and waves and heavy rains that caused the ship to tilt by 40 degrees to its port side (left side) and turned over completely.

Tamayo said Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran Island and Camotes Island in Visayas; and Surigao del Norte, Siargao Island, and Dinagat Island in Mindanao under Signal No. 1.

The PCG chief said about 12,000 passengers were stranded in Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao due to typhoon. Flash floods also occurred after Cagayan River overflowed.

Tamayo also placed all PCG districts, detachments, assets and aircrafts under heightened alert. “We continue to conduct search and rescue and relief operations for those affected by the typhoon,” he said.