Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name: Bualoi) made its third landfall over Milagros, Masbate, on Friday, Sept. 26, and is heading toward a possible fourth landfall in Romblon within the next few hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

So far, Opong has made three landfalls: in San Policarpo, Eastern Samar, at 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25; in Palanas, Masbate, at 4 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 26; and in Milagros, Masbate, at 5:30 a.m. on the same day.

As of 7 a.m., the center of Opong was spotted over the coastal waters of Mandaon, Masbate.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph, while moving west-northwest at 30 kph.

PAGASA said Opong may make landfall over or pass close to Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, or Occidental Mindoro within the next 12 hours before emerging over the West Philippine Sea later this afternoon or evening.

The storm is expected to remain a severe tropical storm as it crosses the archipelago but could re-intensify once it reaches the West Philippine Sea.

In the PAGASA’s 8 a.m. bulletin, tropical cyclone wind signals 3, 2, and 1 are in effect.

* Signal No. 3 (storm-force winds, 89–117 kph, moderate to significant threat to life and property): Sorsogon, Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands, Albay, western and southern portions of Camarines Sur, southern Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, including Lubang Islands, Batangas, southern Laguna, western portions of Northern Samar and Samar, extreme northern portion of Biliran, northwestern Capiz, northern Aklan, and Caluya Islands.

* Signal No. 2 (gale-force winds, 62–88 kph, minor to moderate threat): Catanduanes, the rest of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, the rest of Quezon, the rest of Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, southern Zambales, Calamian Islands, the rest of Northern Samar, northern portion of Eastern Samar, northern and central portions of Samar, the rest of Biliran, northern Leyte, northern Cebu, including Camotes and Bantayan Islands, extreme northern portion of Negros Occidental, northern portion of Iloilo, the rest of Capiz, the rest of Aklan, and northwestern portion of Antique.

* Signal No. 1 (strong winds, 39–61 kph, minimal to minor threat): Quirino, central and southern portions of Nueva Vizcaya, central and southern portions of Benguet, central and southern portions of La Union, Pangasinan, central and southern portions of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, the rest of Zambales, Cuyo Islands, northern portion of mainland Palawan, the rest of Eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, the rest of Leyte, Southern Leyte, eastern and central portions of Bohol, central portion of Cebu, northern and central portions of Negros Occidental, central portion of Iloilo, central portion of Antique, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte, including Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Islands.

PAGASA said Opong is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday afternoon, Sept. 27.