Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt Gen Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, directed all police units under the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) to assist local government units in enforcing the 4-km. Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around Kanlaon Volcano following its recent ash emission.
In a statement, Nartatez emphasized the need for heightened alertness and preparedness among all police units in the region as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Alert Level 2 status over Kanlaon.
Under Alert Level 2, a sudden phreatic eruption (steam-driven) or magmatic eruption (caused by rising magma) remains possible.
Nartatez said the PNP, through the PRO-NIR, is closely coordinating with local government units, Phivolcs, and local disaster risk reduction and management councils to ensure timely information dissemination, orderly evacuation, and effective enforcement of safety measures.
“The safety of our people is our top priority. We have directed our police units to assist in evacuation, manage traffic in affected areas, and ensure strict compliance with the no-entry policy within the 4-kilometer danger zone. The public is also reminded to stay calm, follow official advisories, and avoid spreading misinformation,” he said.
According to the PRO-NIR, 135 police personnel were deployed in critical areas around Kanlaon Volcano after its 30-minute ash emission on Oct. 12. The incident occurred from 6:47 a.m. to 7:17 a.m.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office stationed in La Castellana municipality mobilized 90 personnel while the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office in Canlaon City deployed 45 personnel following reported ash fall incidents.
The officers distributed face masks to residents to help them protect themselves from the ash fall, and urged them to avoid going outdoors for safety reasons.
Some personnel were also tasked to secure border controls, and manage evacuation centers to prevent gender-based violence as part of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s Law and Order Cluster and Camp Management Cluster.
As of Oct. 13, 77 families comprised of 273 individuals are taking temporary shelter in six evacuation centers on Negros Island.*PNA