Duterte postpones visit to rebel returnees due to Taal eruption

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s scheduled engagement with former communist rebels in Leyte on Tuesday has been postponed, Malacañang announced Monday.

Duterte was set to lead the distribution of benefits to rebel returnees in San Isidro, Leyte on Tuesday, but presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the event would be rescheduled to a later date due to the eruption of Taal Volcano.

“Due to the recent eruption of Taal volcano, and to ensure the safety of travel and better preparation of the officials, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s engagement in San Isidro, Leyte — the distribution of benefits to rebel returnees — has been rescheduled to a later date,” Panelo said in a statement.

The President, however, is expected to meet the Philippine Marine Corps in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday afternoon as Southern Luzon prepares for a possible hazardous explosion of Taal Volcano.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 4 which means that a “hazardous explosive eruption” is imminent.

The volcano, the second most active in the Philippines after Mount Mayon, spouted a giant ash column Sunday afternoon after a phreatic, or steam-driven, explosion occurred in its main crater.

Taal Volcano’s heightened activity has forced airport authorities to ground flights for safety concerns as ashfall blankets Batangas and nearby provinces and has reached Metro Manila.

/atm