Gov't warns residents from danger zone of Taal volcano

MANILA (Xinhua) – The Philippine authorities will forcibly evacuate residents who refuse to leave the danger zone of the restive Taal volcano, senior government official warned on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, in his regular press briefing, said that it is important to save the lives of the people.

"If we see that the pending eruption will pose a danger to the lives of these people, we will have to forcibly evacuate them," he said.

Lacierda is asking people living near Taal volcano to voluntarily evacuate the premises. He added that Lacierda the Department of Social Welfare and Development will help the evacuees.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology ( Phivolcs) said on Monday that 21 volcanic earthquakes were recorded around Taal volcano in Batangas province during the past 24 hours.

It said that one of the quakes, which occurred at 10:06 a.m. local time on Sunday, was felt by residents at Intensity 2 in Calauit village.

Water temperature at the main crater lake slightly increased from 29 degrees Celsius to 30.1 degrees Celsius, Phivolcs added.