Gatchalian wants arrest for residents returning to Taal danger zones

MANILA, Philippines — To ensure public order and safety in areas affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday said residents who insist on returning to their homes in high-risk areas should be arrested.

“We often have to be very persistent na bawal silang pumunta don at kung meron mang talagang magpilit, iaresto,” Gatchalian said in press forum when asked how local authorities should handle defiant residents.

“Pag sinabing arrest, dadalhin sila sa barangay hall, dadalhin sila sa presinto muna dahil nga ito ay para sa kabutihan nila (When we say arrest, it means the residents will be brought to the barangay or in the precinct, because this is for their own benefit) …ang nakakalungkot, kung naipit sila don at pumasok ang mga rescuers at maipit din yung mga rescuers natin, mas maraming buhay ang mabubuwis (What’s sad is that if they insist on going there and the rescuers came to rescue them, the lives of rescuers will also be put in danger),” he added.

Several towns in Batangas have been placed under lockdown following Taal Volcano’s phreatic eruption Sunday afternoon.

According to Gatchalian, it is the mandate of the mayors as well as barangay captains to ensure public order and safety, and even the Philippine National Police (PNP) is clothed with the authority.

“Nasa local government law ‘to, in the realm of public order and public safety. Even ang mayor at ang barangay captain pwedeng mag-aresto in the name of public order and public safety,” he said.

“Also, this is in the general powers of the PNP (Philippine National Police) in public order and public safety,” he added.

He said that while he understood the sentiments of the residents to check their homes and or the pets they had left behind, the senator said their lives should be of optimal importance.

“Naintindihan natin yung gusto nilang gawin…pero ang kapalit nito yung sariling buhay nila at hindi natin pwedeng sabihin na (dahil) tahimik ang Taal e pwede na tayong pumasok, sinabi na ng mga experto na delikado pa rin yung lugar, anytime pwedeng sumabog at pwede silang maipit doon,” he said.

Over the weekend, Taal Volcano spewed a kilometer-high column of ash prompting thousands of residents in affected areas to flee their homes.

Taal Volcano is currently on Alert Level 4 which means that “hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days,” according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs has since recommended the evacuation of residents near Taal’s lakeshore amid the volcano’s heightened activity.