BATANGAS CITY, Philippines. – A male TV reporter was trapped near the crater of Taal Volcano while covering families residing near the volcano in Talisay, Batangas. According to the Philippine Institute of Vulcanology, Taal volcano may erupt anytime soon.
Lt Commander Troy Cornelio, Batangas coastguard chief, identified the victim as Joshua Garcia, TV reporter of Global News Network.
Cornelio said Garcia asked permission from the coastguard to go to Barangay Tabla for an interview with the residents.
He said Garcia took a side trip and went closer to the crater lake, which is 250 meters from the viewing deck, for a stand upper despite warnings by residents and his own TV crew. The reporter was trapped for 5 hours and could not climb back because his location was too steep.
Garcia sent a text message to the coastguard based in Talisay command post, asking for help.
The coastguard was able to pluck out Garcia from the crater after five hours of rescue operation. Garcia suffered exhaustion, dehydration and some bruises to his body.
At least 6,000 residents in four towns of Batangas were asked by the Batangas Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) to voluntarily leave their homes as Taal Volcano continues to show signs of acting up.
Taal Volcano is only one of the many active volcanoes in the Philippines. Among them are Mount Mayon in Legaspi, Albay, Hibok-Hibok in Camiguin Island, Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales, Mt. Banahaw in Lucena City, and Mt. Parker in South Cotabato.
Taal Volcano can be viewed from Tagaytay Ridge in Tagaytay City, province of Cavite. The lake where Taal Volcano rests is actually a crater of a larger volcano that erupted many centuries ago. That is the reason why the entire city of Tagaytay is sloping downwards toward the rest of the surrounding areas. – ?