Tropical cyclone “Emong” (international name: Co-may) intensified into a severe tropical storm on Thursday morning, July 24, while moving over the sea west of Ilocos Region on Thursday morning, July 24, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).br br PAGASA added that it may strengthen into a typhoon before landfall over Ilocos between Thursday evening and early Friday morning, July 25.