Military continues forced evacuation at Mayon danger zone

Mayon Volcano. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Military troops on Tuesday continued to enforce the mandatory evacuation of families living within Mayon volcano’s six kilometer danger zone.

Major General Ricardo Visaya, Southern Luzon Command Chief, said that the 901st Infantry Brigade under Colonel Raul Farnacio is leading the evacuation work.

“They are ready, the humanitarian and disaster response team of the 901st IB would be the lead,” Visaya said.

Visaya said the forced evacuations have started Monday afternoon in smooth transition with residents within the six kilometer permanent danger zone to comply with the authorities’ order to leave the area.

Farnacio said that 20 military trucks have been deployed from the 50 that would be used in the evacuation operations, which would target 10,000 families across 60 villages.

He added that around 1,653 families have been evacuated in two days from Albay for the past two days with 334 from Barangay (village) Maninila, 299 from Barangay Tandarora, 480 from Barangay Muldadbukad Pequeño (all in Guinobatan, Albay), 140 from Camalig, Albay and 400 from Malilipot Albay.

Visaya said that residents have complied with the evacuation and no resistance from the evacuees were reported.

“They were orderly, it went smoothly and there was no confusion,” Visaya said.

Farnacio said that two Huey Helicopters departed from Legazpi city to conduct aerial surveys around Mayon.

Alexander Pama, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chief, said that the council would be under blue alert. This means half of its employees would be on standby.

Farnacio added that they would continue their force evacuations and respond to the requests of city and town mayors.

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