The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced Tuesday the deployment of around 200 personnel and various land assets to support disaster response efforts following Mount Kanlaon’s latest eruption.
AFP spokesperson Col. Frances Margareth Padilla said the initiative aims to assist communities affected by the volcanic activity.
“These teams are prepared to assist in evacuation, administer first aid, provide relief, and ensure security in coordination with local government units and other agencies,” she added.
Padilla emphasized that the deployment underscores AFP’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Filipinos. “This is not just a duty—it is our solemn commitment of service and compassion,” she said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that Mount Kanlaon experienced a “moderately explosive” eruption at 2:55 a.m. on Tuesday. The event produced a grayish plume rising three kilometers above the crater.
Thin ashfall was observed in several villages in Negros Occidental, including Cubay, San Miguel, Yubo, and Ara-al in La Carlota City; Ilijan and Binubuhan in Bago City’s; and Biak-na-Bato, Sag-ang, and Mansalanao in La Castellana.
Philippine Army Spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala told Manila Standard that they prepared one quick response team as required by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
“They were put on standby by the OCD and LGU (local government unit) to assist in rescue operations in case there are people trapped in affected areas,” he said.
“The safety and security of our personnel will rely on their disaster response and relief operations skills earned during training, the appropriate equipment issued to them, and the seamless coordination with the other members and committees of the Incident Command System in place to effectively act upon the existing disaster,” Dema-ala added.