MANILA (UPDATE) - The remains of one of two residents who went missing after returning to Volcano Island following Taal's eruption last January was found Saturday, a relative said.

The body of Marlon Deteral was found in a boat buried in ash on the island in Barangay Alas-As, San Nicolas, Batangas, said his sister Bernadette Valenzuela.

• 2 lalaking bumalik sa volcano island ng Taal hindi na mahagilap

The discovery of his body coincided with his 26th birthday.

Locals said his body was found when the boat's owner was trying to salvage the motor from his sea vessel that was buried in ash 2 meters deep.

He was identified by a relative through a tattoo on his left arm.

On Jan. 29, Valenzuela appealed for help to find her missing brother, who had decided not to board the last boat that left the island.

Aside from Deteral, resident Alexander Dando Jr. remains missing. His brother Gerry said Alexander returned to the island thinking that the volcano’s activities had mellowed down.

Gerry said they lost communication after that.

• Taal alert down to second lowest due to 'decreased unrest': Phivolcs

There had previously been no reported deaths from the Taal Volcano's ash-driven eruption on Jan. 12, which triggered a widespread ashfall across Batangas and even parts of Metro Manila.

On Friday, the state seismology bureau lowered the volcano's alert level to 2 due to decreased unrest. The bureau still advised residents to prepare for a quick evacuation if necessary.

It's eruption had prompted massive evacuations and disrupted business. With a report from Jonathan Vega Magistrado, ABS-CBN News