Manila, Sept. 23 -- The tropical depression east of Northeastern Mindanao has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and was named "Opong", the weather bureau said on Tuesday.

Opong was tracked 1,045 km. east of Northeastern Mindanao as of 4 p.m.

It packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

The cyclone is unlikely to affect the weather condition in the next 36 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

Opong is forecast to pass close or make landfall over Northern Samar on Friday, and cross the Southern Luzon area until Friday night or Saturday.

Meanwhile, in its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Sign...