Manila: Severe Tropical Storm Opong, internationally known as Bualoi, is now positioned over the West Philippine Sea, as reported by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in its 11 p.m. bulletin on Friday. The storm has maintained its strength, with maximum sustained winds reaching 110 km per hour near the center and gustiness extending up to 135 kph. It is advancing in a west-northwestward direction at a speed of 35 kph.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains in effect over the northwestern part of Occidental Mindoro, covering areas such as Paluan, Abra de Ilog, and Mamburao, including the Lubang Islands. Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is currently raised in the central and western parts of Pangasinan, the southern part of Aurora, as well as in various other regions including Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Metro Manila, and parts of Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Palawan including the Calamian Islands.

PAGASA emphasized the potential impact of heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surges that may affect areas outside the immediate landfall region and the projected forecast cone. The agency also noted that Opong has intensified the southwest monsoon, known locally as 'habagat,' which is expected to bring strong to gale-force winds in regions under TCWS advisories.

PAGASA forecasts that Opong will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday morning or noon.