Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief, Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., directed all police units under the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) to assist local government units in ensuring the strict enforcement of the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around Kanlaon Volcano following its recent ash emission.
He issued the directive to all police units in Negros Island after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised Alert Level 2 status for Kanlaon Volcano.
Under Alert Level 2, a sudden phreatic eruption (steam-driven) or magmatic eruption (caused by rising magma) remains possible.
Nartatez said 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 officers were deployed in critical areas around Kanlaon Volcano after its 30-minute ash emission on October 12.
The lawmen also distributed face masks to residents to help them protect themselves from the ash fall, and urged them to avoid going outdoors to prevent respiratory illnesses, it said.
As of October 13, 77 families, comprising 273 individuals, were taking temporary shelter in six evacuation centers in Negros Island.
