Typhoon Opong Causes Four Fatalities in Bicol Region as It Makes Multiple Landfalls

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that Typhoon Opong has resulted in four deaths in the Bicol region as it continues to batter the area. Three fatalities occurred in Masbate—one individual was struck by a fallen tree, another by a collapsed wall, and a third by flying debris. The fourth victim, from Camarines Norte, was killed by lightning.

"As of now, we have four casualties in Region V (Bicol)," stated OCD-Bicol director Claudio Yucot during an online briefing.

Meanwhile, OCD Eastern Visayas director Lord Byron Torrecarion confirmed that five persons remain missing in the region amid the storm.

Typhoon Opong made its initial landfall in San Policarpio, Eastern Samar, late Thursday night at 11:30 p.m., shortly after being upgraded to typhoon status. It later weakened to a severe tropical storm by 2 a.m. Friday but made a second landfall in Milagros, Masbate at 5:30 a.m.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Opong is projected to continue moving west-northwest, potentially making additional landfalls or passing close to Romblon and Mindoro within 12 hours. It is expected to emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Friday afternoon or evening and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday afternoon.

As of 7 a.m. Friday, Opong was situated in the coastal waters near Mandaon, Masbate, carrying maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near its center with gusts reaching 150 kph and moving at 30 kph west-northwest.

Numerous areas have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3, including Sorsogon, Masbate and its surrounding islands, Albay, parts of Camarines Sur, Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Batangas, southern Laguna, parts of Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Capiz, Aklan, and Caluya Islands.

Additionally, several regions, including Metro Manila, are under Wind Signal No. 2 or No. 1, signaling varying levels of storm impact and safety precautions.