Over 500 soldiers deployed to aid residents affected by Mayon unrest

By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI CITY --- The 9th Infantry Division (9ID) on Monday assured the public and local government units of continued assistance as unrest persists around Mayon Volcano.

In a press briefing, Brig. Gen. Ariel Reyes, assistant commander of the 9ID and head of Task Force Sagip, said over 500 soldiers are deployed to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) in affected Albay municipalities.

“Our HADR component of the 9ID is now focused on assisting the province of Albay regarding security and relief operations for affected municipalities with evacuations. Our 35 teams are assisting around 4,000-plus individuals. These are some of the mandates of Task Force Sagip,” Reyes said.

He said the division is ready to provide additional personnel should the alert level rise to 4, assuring the public, LGUs and the Office of Civil Defense of the division’s readiness to provide manpower, logistics and transportation support.

Despite their HADR duties, Reyes emphasized that soldiers continue internal security operations in unaffected areas.

“While our units are engaged in disaster response, we also maintain our mandate to conduct sustained operations against insurgency. The 9ID is committed to both missions,” he said.

Meanwhile, the division reported key accomplishments for 2025, including the arrest, neutralization, or capture of 623 New People’s Army members and supporters.

It also recorded 39 government-initiated engagements, comprising six major and 13 minor encounters, along with other operations that produced contributory results.

A total of 253 firearms and 501 anti-personnel mines were seized or surrendered during the year. (PNA)