More areas in Visayas have been placed under Signal No. 2 as Typhoon 'Pepito' continues to intensify rapidly prior to its possible landfall, the state-run weather agency said on Friday.

Several provinces in the Bicol Region are now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS ) No. 2 as Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi) approaches closer to the country’s landmass. As of 11:00 p.

Several regions in Luzon and Visayas were ordered to pre-emptively evacuate their residents as early as Friday following the threats brought by tropical cyclones Ofel and Man-Yi, an Office of Civil Defense official said on Thursday.

A storm surge warning was hoisted over eight provinces in Luzon and Visayas due to Severe Tropical Storm Pepito (international name: Man-yi), the Philippine Atmospheric,