Legazpi city: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has placed its disaster response units on alert and directed all concerned police offices in the Bicol Region to intensify preparedness measures following the latest activity at Mayon Volcano.
According to Philippines News Agency, this came after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported on Sunday a pyroclastic density current (PDC) event, locally known as "uson," at Mayon Volcano, which remains under Alert Level 3, indicating heightened unrest and a high possibility of hazardous eruptions.
'Our police units in the area are aware of the situation and are always ready to respond for any eventuality based on past experiences and strong coordination with local government units and other agencies,' PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement Monday.
Nartatez ordered police units in affected areas to immediately activate their emergency and disaster response teams to help ensure the safety and security of residents living near the volcano and support local government efforts in disaster preparedness.
PHIVOLCS has repeatedly reminded the public that entry into the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone remains strictly prohibited due to the continuing threat posed by volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, rockfalls, and sudden explosive activity.
Nartatez emphasized the need for constant monitoring of developments around Mayon Volcano and directed police personnel to remain vigilant and ready to provide immediate assistance to communities that may be affected by further volcanic activity.
Local police commanders have also been instructed to maintain close coordination with local government units, disaster risk reduction and management offices, and other concerned agencies to assess conditions on the ground and determine whether additional precautionary measures, including evacuations, may be necessary.
'Patuloy ang pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa lokal na pamahalaan upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan (We continue to work with local governments to ensure the safety of our countrymen),' Nartatez said.
The PNP chief likewise urged residents to remain calm, stay informed, and strictly follow advisories issued by local authorities and disaster management agencies to ensure their safety.
