Police enforce safety measures for residents near Mayon Volcano

By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 (Bicol) and the Albay Provincial Police are strictly enforcing a ban on human activity within the 6-km. permanent danger zone (PDZ) following Mayon Volcano’s elevated alert level.

In a statement on Saturday, PRO-5 acting Director Brig. Gen. Erosito Miranda said the order aligns with the official notice of the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), which “strictly prohibits anyone, including residents, tourists, mountaineers, tour guides, and others, from climbing, entering, or staying in tourist areas and areas near Mayon Volcano.”

As part of heightened safety measures, police have tightened surveillance around Mayon Volcano, particularly at known access points, trails, and routes frequently used by climbers.

Chokepoints, checkpoints, and regular patrols are being established to prevent anyone from entering or climbing into prohibited areas.

APSEMO emphasized that the PDZ is extremely dangerous at all times due to the threat of lava flows, pyroclastic density currents, rockfall, and ashfall.

Miranda said the Philippine National Police continues to coordinate closely with local governments, APSEMO, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, and other concerned agencies to maintain order, ensure public safety, and be ready to respond immediately to sudden changes in volcanic activity.

He said the Reactionary Standby Support Force at the regional headquarters, Albay Police, and all surrounding police stations near Mayon Volcano, including mobile forces, were ordered to ensure readiness and immediate deployment if necessary.

Miranda encouraged the public “to cooperate with authorities, adhere to warnings and advisories, and avoid spreading false information.”

Close coordination

In a statement on Sunday, PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said they maintain close coordination with local government units and other agencies to ensure the timely implementation of safety measures for affected communities.

“Prayoridad ng kapulisan ang kaligtasan ng mga residente kaya’t patuloy ang pakikipagugnayan natin sa mga LGUs at iba pang ahensya hinggil sa (The police force’s priority is the safety of residents, that is why we continue to coordinate with local government units and other agencies regarding) Mayon Volcano,” Nartatez said.

He urged the public to cooperate with authorities and strictly follow advisories and instructions to ensure their safety.

The Phivolcs has raised Mayon Volcano’s status to Alert Level 2 due to shallow magmatic processes observed at the volcano that may lead to a hazardous magmatic eruption if activity escalates.

A no-fly zone directly above Mayon Volcano is now in effect, and access to the Mayon skyline is likewise temporarily suspended until further notice. (With reports from Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)