Manila Mayor Isko cuts town hall short in Batangas after Taal Volcano alert

Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno on Saturday cut his town hall meeting in the municipality of San Nicolas in Batangas short after Taal Volcano generated a short phreatomagmatic burst.

This raised the alert level of the volcano from 2 to 3, which means “magma is near or at the surface, and activity could lead to hazardous eruption in weeks.”

“Regardless of how warm their welcome is for me, it is more important they are given the opportunity to prepare their belongings and their loved ones.”

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recommended the evacuation of residents in Taal Volcano Island and Barangays Bilibinwang and Banyaga in Agoncillo, and Boso-bobo, Gulod and eastern Bugaan East in Laurel.

“That’s nature. But the most important for now is their life, their belongings instead of my campaign. Earlier on stage, I asked them all, Senator Ralph [Recto], Doc Willie [Ong], and our mayor, Lester [De Sagun], if it is possible to cut short [the program] so I can talk to them and ask them to go home.”

The Aksyon Demokratiko bet said he was informed that San Nicolas is more than 10 kilometers away from the volcano.