Manila, June 22 -- Typhoon Francisco (international name Mekkhala) is forecast to reach the super typhoon category in the next 12 hours, the weather bureau said in its 5 p.m. bulletin on Monday.

Francisco further intensified, packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 215 kph.

It was last located 625 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, moving west northwestward at 20 kph.

Signal No. 1 is hoisted in Batanes, northeastern portion of Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana) including the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island, Didicas Island, Camiguin Island).

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the highest wind signal that will likely be...