After an aerial reconnaissance on Friday morning, officials said they have spotted at least 100 animals still alive on the Taal Volcano island, five days after the volcano spewed a giant ash cloud that reached as far as Quezon City.
In an interview with DZMM, commander of Task Force Taal BGen. Marceliano Teofilo said horses and cattle are among those who are still scattered around the island.
Residents on the island were forced to evacuate and leave their pets and other animals behind when the volcano erupted, but as the volcano drifted into a resting state, several of them went back to the island to rescue what’s left of their animals.
However, authorities placed the island on lockdown along with other danger zones, limiting the residents to go back for their pets.
“Ang primordial concern natin is the safety ng mga kababayan natin,” Teofilo said. “Pag sinabing hindi pwede, we have to heed dahil mahirap na… the situation is very volatile. We will take cue from Phivolcs. That’s the reason why yung 14 kilometer danger zone ay ipinapatupad kasi until now, mahirap ma-predict kung kalian sasabog ulit o hindi.”
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