'Labuyo' intensifies into storm

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical cyclone "Labuyo" (international name Utor) has intensified into a storm as it moved closer to Luzon on Saturday, the state weather bureau reported.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that as of 4 a.m., the storm' center was estimated at 680 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes.

"Labuyo" was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It was moving west northwest at a speed of 19 kph.

PAGASA has not issued public storm warnings.

Weather forecaster Jori Loiz said that the storm was still too far to affect any part of the country.

He said if the storm changes its track and moves westward, it will hit Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau said that the low pressure area (LPA) off Palawan has moved out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The LPA, however, would continue to spawn rains over Palawan, Mindoro, Aurora, Rizal, Agusan del Sur and Compostela Valley.