Kanlaon eruption: PNP ready to send search, rescue personnel

Timelapse IP Camera footage from 6:51 PM to 6:57 PM of the explosive eruption at the Kanlaon Volcano summit crater taken by the Canlaon City (VKCC) observation station, 03 June 2024. The plume rose to 5000 meters above the vent. Incandescent ejecta can be seen to collapse from the plume and descend the southern upper slopes (towards the left side of the footage) as short pyroclastic density currents (PDCs). Screengrab from Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST)/FACEBOOK

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to dispatch its standby personnel in case search and rescue operations are needed in areas affected by Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption on Monday evening.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo did not specify how many personnel are on standby but assured the public that they are ready and are continuously monitoring the volcano’s activity.

READ: Kanlaon eruption: DOH urges residents near volcano to take precautions

“We already reminded our PNP personnel to prepare for all disasters since the rainy season is here and after Kanlaon erupted in Negros Occidental,” Fajardo said, speaking in a mix of English and Filipino, in a press briefing on Tuesday.

“So our search and rescue personnel are readily available for deployment, and the PNP is ready to give assistance to government agencies and, of course, to LGUs [local government units],” she added.

READ: LIST: Cancelled flights from Cebu due to Kanlaon eruption

According to previous reports, Mt. Kanlaon had a phreatic eruption that lasted for six minutes, sending a 5,000-meter-high plume. Following this, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology immediately raised Alert Level 2 over Mt. Kanlaon, which is located on the Negros Island.

For its part, the Department of Health encouraged residents in affected areas to wear masks and eyeglasses outside and close windows and doors at home to prevent ash and toxic gases from entering.