MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the situation of Filipinos in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands following the onslaught of Typhoon Mangkhut.
Around 43,000 Filipinos reside in Guamn while 20,000 are based in the Northern Mariana Islands.
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The Philippine Consulate in Agana, however, said there have been no reports of any Filipinos who have been affected by the typhoon.
"The Guam Office of Civil Defense has advised the public to stay indoors as there are still debris from fallen trees on some roads," the DFA said in a statement.
The Consulate General also expressed its readiness to assist any Filipino affected in the area.
According to Consul General Marciano de Borja, the Philippine Consulate General in Agana is keeping in touch with Filipino leaders in Guam and the Northern Marianas, as well as the Guam Office of Civil Defense.
"Mangkhut," which is also forecasted to enter the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesday, almost directly hit the island of Rota in the Northern Marianas and its southern quadrant.
The typhoon also affected the norther part of Guam, including Dededo and Tamuning, where the Consulate General is located. Dededo is also the country's most populous district, where thousands of Filipinos live.
"Conditions of Readiness 1 (damaging winds are occurring or expected within 12 hours) is still in effect in both Guam and the Northern Marianas," the DFA said.
"Mangkhut" will be called "Ompong" once it enters the Philippine's jurisdiction. It is expected to develop into a "super typhoon" with a level of more than 220 kilometers per hour.
As of posting time, "Mangkhut" is packing maximum sustained winds of up to 120 knots or 222 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 145 knots or 267 kilometers per hour, according to data from the United States Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center. — Patricia Lourdes Viray