Over 2,000 passengers were stranded in various ports in Cebu after the Philippine Coast Guard ordered the grounding of all vessels and suspension of ferry crossings after the state weather bureau placed Cebu City and northern Cebu under storm signal no. 1 due to the approach of Typhoon Glenda (Rammasun) yesterday.
According to Cmdr. Rodolfo Villajuan, commander of the PCG Cebu Station, said a total of 2,171 passengers were affected by the grounding order. At least 31 vessels were barred from sailing as of 6 pm Tuesday night.
Among of those affected were the 840 passengers of MV St. Pope John Paul, which was supposed to leave for Manila at noon Tuesday.
At least four Cebu Pacific flights were also cancelled in the morning at the Mactan Cebu International Airport- 5J426 and 5J427 for and from Tacloban City at 5:10 am and 7:10 am respectively; as well as the 5J 873 and 5J 874 for and from Surigao City at 8:40 am and 10:40 am respectively.
Meanwhile, an unregistered motor banca capsized at 5:15 a.m off the coast of Medellin town in northern Cebu.
Villajuan said the banca was anchored near the shore, but big waves buffeted by strong winds caused it to sink. There were no reported casualties as the boat was unmanned.
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