Mayon volcano observation station vandalized

MANILA, Philippines — Vandals struck at the Mayon Volcano's observation station in Albay, sawing off and stealing its metal fencing, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Wednesday.

Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said the illegal entry at Mayon Volcano Network's Upper Lidong Observation Station (ULOS) was discovered on September 11 during a routine preventive maintenance conducted by volcano observatory personnel.

«It was discovered that significant sections of metal fencing were sawed off and taken from the observation station on the eastern borders of Legazpi City,» Bacolcol said.

He said the station operated critical monitoring instruments, including a borehole tiltmeter for recording ground deformation caused by magma movement beneath the southeast flank of the volcano and infrared camera for visual observations of the edifice even during nighttime.

Commissioned in October 2022, the station provided critical data covering the recent 2023 eruption of Mayon that led to its successful early warning and response, according to Phivolcs.

He then sought the help of the public, especially those near the volcano island to report to Phivolcs if they have information about the perpetrators.

«We also appreciate the public's prompt reporting of similar incidents in the future,» the Phivolcs chief said.

Bacolcol said Republic Act 10344 or the Risk Reduction and Preparedness Equipment Protection Act of 2012 penalizes «the unauthorized taking, stealing, keeping or tampering of government risk reduction and preparedness equipment, accessories and similar facilities.»

He enjoined the concerned local government units and communities near the Albay volcano to help in keeping volcano monitoring facilities safe from such illegal acts «so that operational coverage of every sector of the volcano can be sustained.»