20 Batangas folk picking scraps for livelihood at Taal lake nabbed

More than 20 residents in Batangas City were arrested after they were seen collecting scraps  at Taal Lake, where activities are currently banned due to the Taal Volcano unrest.

According to James Agustin's "24 Oras" report, Philippine Coast Guard members were monitoring Taal Lake when it caught residents doing these activities at the lake, where entry is prohibited due to the situation at the Taal Volcano.

The residents were from the Taal Volcano Island, which is considered a Permanent Danger Zone.

But some residents lamented that they were collecting metal near the area so that they could raise money to buy rice.

"Maibili po para sa ayuda namin. Pambili ng bigas namin. Wala na pong nagbibigay ng ayuda sa amin," one of the arrested residents said.

(We need to buy rice. We are not receiving assistance.)

Some residents said they are aware of the ban on entry at Taal lake but they have no choice but to resort to scrap-collecting for their livelihood.

Other Batangas folk also asked authorities to let them feed their fishes at cages in Taal Lake. They lamented that it would affect their business if these fishes were to die.

After being caught, residents said they will just follow authorities.

"Wala kaming magagawa kung bawal e. (We have no choice if it is banned.)," one of the residents said.

PCG in Talisay, Batangas, only warned the arrested residents before sending them home.

According to PCG, Taal Volcano is under Alert Level 3, which means water activities are not allowed.

State volcanologists recorded 39 volcanic earthquakes within the vicinity of the volcano in the past 24 hours. This is on top of the steam-driven plume rising at the main crater. —Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News