More Albay cops deployed to areas affected by restive Mayon

By Sally Altea

LEGAZPI CITY --- Two hundred fifty police personnel were dispatched to evacuation centers and communities in the vicinity of Mayon Volcano in Albay for emergency response purposes amid Mayon’s unrest, the Police Provincial Office (PPO) said on Wednesday.

The Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office said a total of 1,593 individuals or 392 families have been relocated to evacuation centers after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised Alert Level 3 over the volcano.

Alert Level 3 indicates an increased likelihood of an explosive eruption.

To ensure the safety of the evacuees and residents near the danger zone, PPO Director Colonel Noel Nuñez said 250 police officers coming from the provincial headquarters, police stations, and Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay teams were assigned to attend to the safety of affected families.

“We are strictly enforcing the no-entry policy in restricted areas. Residents are warned not to return to danger zones as this puts their lives at risk,” Nuñez said.

Residents welcomed the increased police presence.

Jose Balbin, a resident of Tabaco City, said police visibility helps in preventing casualties and property damage.

“It’s wiser and easier to prevent untoward incidents from happening than to address them after they’ve already occurred,” he said.

Alton Onato from Guinobatan, Albay, praised the initiative, noting that police monitoring and inspections help ensure the enforcement of the provincial government’s directives in high-risk areas.

“I salute our policemen,” he said.

In a separate initiative, the PPO deployed 56 female police personnel to evacuation centers to support women and children in the shelters.

Nuñez said the deployment aims to promote efficient operations and provide gender-sensitive assistance to women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

“Deploying female personnel allows us to better address the unique needs of women and children in evacuation centers,” he said. (PIA Bicol/Albay)