[5] On September 29, the storm entered the area of responsibility of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), who locally named the system Pablo.

[6] The tropical cyclone grazed eastern Samar and tracked towards southern Luzon—with the JMA noting little change in strength—on September 30, guided by a nearby subtropical ridge.

[9] The JMA upgraded the cyclone to a minimal tropical storm by October 2 with sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mbar (hPa; 29.47 inHg); Higos would not strengthen further throughout its evolution in the South China Sea.

[2][12] On October 4, the weakening system crossed eastern Hainan and slowed considerably, with land interaction and wind shear creating hostile environmental conditions for Higos.

[17] According to a report from Yahoo News, Higos killed four paramilitary operatives of the Central Intelligence Agency's Maritime Branch who were on a mission to plant surveillance equipment on a small island in the Luzon Strait.