MANILA, Philippines – Several towns in Batangas have been placed on lockdown as ashfall brought about by the eruption of Taal Volcano persists.
Areas placed under total lockdown are Talisay, Taal, San Nicolas and Agoncillo as these are deemed high-risk areas amid Taal’s unrest.
Police officers and soldiers on Wednesday blocked off the roads to these towns to stop villagers attempting to return to their homes.
The local government of Taal also implemented a forced evacuation and urged remaining holdouts to flee their homes as the current volcanic activity threatens an imminent hazardous explosion.
“Bibigyan na lang ng warning sila (residente) na kailangan maka-exit na ngayong araw na ito para bukas wala ng mag-re-rescue sa kanila. Aalis na rin kami. Mga pulis at mga military ang maiiwan dito,” Taal Mayor Pong Mercado said.
“So, wala ng entrance, wala ng entry point. May entry point pero di na magpapapasok. Lumabas lang pwede,” he added.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has repeatedly called on people living within the 14-kilometer danger zone in Taal to leave the area as the volcano continues to spew ash.
Taal volcano is currently under alert level 4, which means that a hazardous explosion may occur within hours or days.
The post Several Batangas towns placed on lockdown amid Taal eruption appeared first on UNTV News.