'Volcano Tsunami' after eruption of 'volcano tsunami'
Thousands of tremors and tremors were felt in the surrounding villages amid the eruption of the country's second most active volcanic pool, about 40 miles from Manila.
A dramatic eruption of the Philippines' second-most active volcano on Sunday warned of a possible "volcano tsunami" as villagers were driven out and surrounding communities were advised to caution against any lake water drift .
The eruption, which sent a pile of ashes about half a mile into the air, came months after the volcano - Tal, which is about 40 miles from Manila - began to demonstrate a state of unrest. Earthquake tremors were felt on the island of Volcano and in nearby villages on the island of Agnaye in Batangas province, and the noise emanating from the volcano caused fear among residents.
"The earthquakes were strong, and it felt like coming out as a monster in the movies", said Cookie Siscar, who had left the area and relayed a report to her husband, Emer, a poultry farmer who Was doing houses in the Battangos that overlook the volcanic island.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanoes and Seismology raised their alert levels for Tal volcanoes to four out of five, indicating that a "dangerous eruption" was imminent
The institute warned that the eruption could lead to a "volcanic tsunami" and advised surrounding communities to take precautions against possible surge from a lake surrounded by volcanoes. About 6,000 people live on the island, and boats took residents to safety in Batangas early Sunday.
The Associated Press reported that tens of people were ordered to be evacuated from the surrounding area, but there was no immediate report of any injuries or damage. The International Airport of Manila also said on Twitter that flights to the airport were suspended due to the explosion. The ash of the volcano was observed "in the vicinity of the airport" and nearby air routes, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said.
The volcanic island has been indicating activity since last March, and the volcano has had about three dozen eruptions in recent history. Sitting on a lake that partially fills a caldera built thousands of years ago, it is a popular attraction for tourists from a ridge north of the province of Cavite.
A spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte, Salvador Panello, said that the government was "closely monitoring the situation of the Taal volcano."
"Concerned agencies of the national government are now working closely with the provincial government of Batangas to ensure the safety of the residents, including their evacuation," Mr Panlow said. "We advise the public to be vigilant."
Rita Torres, who hails from the city of Dita, Batangas, said that when she went to check on the family's residence, she felt two shocks: "I felt like the whole floor was shaken."
"It's very scary," he said, describing "ominous clouds over us" and thunder and lightning.
Last January, the eruption of the most active volcano in the island nation - Mayon in Alb province, about 200 miles from Tal - prompted a warning level of four as it produced lava fountains and ashes of up to 1,600 feet. Two nearby villages.