Worthy Christian News » World Headlines »
Philippines braces for possible volcano eruption
by Jordan Hilger, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - Clouds of ash and tremors from the Taal volcano near the capital of the Philippines forced thousands to flee Sunday as the government planned to evacuate hundreds more.
The ash cloud erupted several miles into the air and blew over 60 miles north to Manilla where the country's main airport is located, causing hundreds of flights to be canceled.
The Filipino volcano-monitoring agency raised its alert level from 1 to 4 on Sunday--one notch short of the highest level--suggesting the possibility of “a hazardous eruption within hours to days."
200 people were killed by the volcano the last time it erupted in 1965.
According to the Joshua Project, 14% of Filipinos identify as evangelical, who along with the country's majority Catholic population have expressed deep discontent with "blasphemous" statements made about God by President Rodrigo Duterte.