Gadgets used in monitoring Mt. Mayon stolen

Phivolcs experts monitoring Mt. Mayon are encountering problems in recording the activities of the volcano after thieves stole gadgets and monitoring equipment that feeds data to their observatory station in Legazpi City. Photo by Michael B. Jaucian / Inquirer Southern Luzon

LEGAZPI CITY–Gadgets used in monitoring Mayon volcano that feed data to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) observatory station in Ligñon Hill in this city were stolen, said resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta on Tuesday.

The monitoring gadgets and equipment installed in Barangay (village) Lidong in Sto. Domingo town, also in Albay province, were discovered missing by Phivolcs employees on Sunday while doing maintenance field work in all Mayon remote monitoring stations, Laguerta said.

He said the still unknown suspects stole a solar panel and two heavy duty maintenance-free deep cycle batteries.

“With the loss of (the monitoring gadgets) … (the) whole system does not operate because there are accessories that are affected and have short circuited. The charge controller and minor accessories were burned,” he added.

He said the disappearance of the gadgets could also affect the seismic, geochemistry and meteorology instruments “because, for the meantime, [they are] not functioning,” Laguerta said.

Laguerta appealed to the public not to steal the gadgets because this could affect the accuracy of Phivolcs monitoring and endanger many lives.

Meanwhile, Alert Level 1 remains in effect over Mt. Mayon, indicating the volcano’s abnormal state.