Sea travel in Zambo City suspended due to bad weather

ZAMBOANGA CITY - About a thousand passengers were stranded after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspended sea travel in the southern region due to strong winds and heavy rains that has been battering this port city for three days now.

“The sea condition remained unfavorable for any travel of vessels, including fishing boats. The action is just part of the precautionary measures to avoid untoward accident in the sea,” said Lieutenant Junior Grade Jomark Angue, coast guard station commander.

Aside from the stranded passengers at the port of this city, Angue said passengers in neighboring islands would also be affected by the suspension.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) said that although Typhoon "Ramil" has already moved out from the Philippine Area of Responsibility, several areas in the southern region would continue to experience bad weather due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).

Incessant rains have triggered flooding in many villages in this city, affecting more than 3,000 families.

Local authorities said that a young man has been reported missing after he was swept by the strong current of a river in Barangay Tumaga. The victim was identified as Roel Patrocinio, 17.

Angue said that with the suspension of sea travel, he diverted majority of the coast guard personnel in the city to rescue operations in areas affected by flooding.