Taal off limits to tourists

Authorities have warned resort operators against bringing tourists to Pulo Island, near the crater of the restive Taal volcano in Batangas province.

The Philippine Coast Guard issued the warning after Alert level 2 was hoisted over Taal volcano, which means that it is experiencing magmatic intrusion that may lead to an eruption.

Despite earlier warnings from government volcanologists, foreign tourists were still coming to the island, often hiring horses to ride up to the volcano’s crater, local Coast Guard personnel said.  Mostly South Koreans and some Japanese were visiting the restive volcano, they added.