Taal’s eruption no laughing matter

When Taal Volcano erupted last year, President Duterte said he would pee on the volcano and eat the ash being spewed from its crater. It was of course a joke, which may have made his DDS followers laugh with glee. This year, Mr. Duterte again made a joke — that he would put a cap on the volcano so it wouldn’t erupt.

Residents on and around the island volcano who are threatened by the very clear and present danger surely did not find the joke funny. The threat of another eruption has added to the immediate danger the pandemic has been causing. The impending eruption could force them to retreat to evacuation centers where crowding cannot be avoided and viral infection can easily spread.

Mr. Duterte’s jokes do not sell anymore. As a friend said, “Kumita na sa takilya!”

RAMON MAYUGA
ramon.mayuga49@gmail.com