Military sets up chokepoints around Mayon

A photo of Mayon Volcano captured at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, shows lava cascading from its crater, as viewed from Barangay Rawis, Legazpi City. MARK ALVIC ESPLANA

MANILA, Philippines—To ensure that the permanent danger zone would be no man’s land once the eruption occurs, the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday set up chokepoints in and around the permanent danger zone.

Colonel Raul Farnacio, 901st Brigade Commander, said the chokepoints were put up to monitor and ensure that no one returns to the area.

Farnacio said that there are no one left within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone as they have completed the forced evacuation in the area.

“That’s why we set up the chokepoints to ensure that no one would return,” Parnacio said. “Totally, there are no residents there.”

Rafaelito Alejandro IV, Office for Civil Defense Bicol Director, said that as of 3:00 p.m. Wednesday a total of 6,809 families or 31,903 families have been evacuated.

Major General Ricardo Visaya said that the residents have been going through with the evacuation without hesitation.

“It’s very smooth and efficient,” Visaya said.

To augment the military troops in the area, village vanguards are aiding the force in setting up the chokepoints.

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