Weather: Typhoon enters PHL, likely to exit Sunday evening

Typhoon "Ma-on" entered Philippine territory before noon Sunday but state weather forecasters said it is likely to exit Sunday evening. Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Rene Paciente said the typhoon, codenamed "Ineng," may head for Southern Japan. "Kaninang 11 a.m. pumasok si Ineng... Dito lang dadaan at lalabas mamayang gabi," Paciente said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said Ineng was estimated at 1,240 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes. Paciente said Ineng packed winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 220 kph. Metro Manila will be cloudy with scattered rain showers in the afternoon and evening, he said. Earlier, PAGASA forecaster Manny Mendoza said Ineng may enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains to some parts of the country. “Ineng will not make landfall. It is expected to move northwest then north going to Japan. It will enhance the southwest monsoon and possibly bring rains to the western side of Mindanao," Mendoza said. — LBG, GMA News