Army on standby for Mayon rescue, relief missions

By Priam Nepomuceno, Philippine News Agency

Mayon Volcano. (Philippine News Agency/facebook)

MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA) on Monday assured the public that its forces are prepared to help secure the so-called “permanent danger zones” and conduct rescue and relief missions for communities affected by the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano in Albay.

“The Army leadership assures the readiness of troops to conduct HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) efforts for the affected communities. We are also working closely with local government units and disaster response agencies to streamline actions, hasten response times and optimize resource allocation for the affected families,” Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala told the Philippine News Agency in a message.

This is in response to questions on whether there are already calls for PA to deploy troops following the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) directive to place Mayon Volcano under Alert Level 3 last Jan. 1.

Dema-ala said the PA, through its 9th Infantry Division, has activated Task Force Sagip on Jan. 6, following this advisory from PHIVOLCS. This involved 9th Infantry Division units that included the 901st and the 903rd Infantry Brigades.

“(These units) are providing security and manpower assistance during the pre-emptive evacuation of residents in response to the threat posed by the Mayon Volcano’s dome collapse and pyroclastic density currents.

Concerned units closely coordinate with Office of Civil Defense Region V, local disaster response and rescue operation teams, local Government Units (LGUs) for the seamless conduct of HADR efforts in Albay,” Dema-ala said.

He pointed out that troops are now assisting in relief efforts for the 2,449 individuals who are now staying at evacuation centers across the towns of Camalig, Guinobatan, Daraga and Tabaco City.

Dema-ala added that PA troops also established checkpoints in vital roads to ensure security in the area.