MANILA, Philippines―A 61-year-old woman was found dead Wednesday morning in Barangay (village) Lidong, Sto. Domingo, Albay province after being declared missing for 15 days, radio reports said.
The body of the woman who was identified as Josefina Gravito was found at around 7 a.m. and was already in “a state of decomposition,” according to Captain Siegfried Encarnado of the Philippine Army.
Encarnado also said that the woman may have died due to hunger.
The Barangay Lidong is within the seven-kilometer extended danger zone of the volcano.
According to Gravito’s family, the woman went missing a day after forced evacuation was implemented by Albay governor Joey Salceda last September 15 due to the possible eruption of the Mayon Volcano.
Gravito is said to be suffering from a mental condition.
According to the 8 a.m. bulletin issued by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Wednesday, Mayon volcano remains at Alert Level 3. Philvolcs also recorded two rockfall events and two volcanic earthquakes during the past 24 hours.
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