Phivolcs appeals to residents: Don't steal Mayon monitoring gear

As they continue to monitor the condition of Mayon Volcano in Albay, state volcanologists on Wednesday appealed to local residents not to steal their electronic monitoring gear.

 

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said it needs to check volcanic activity, after Mayon's phreatic (steam-driven) eruption Tuesday, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported.

 

Phivolcs volcano monitoring unit head Mariton Bornas said they have had similar experiences with Kanlaon and Taal volcanoes.

 

In Kanlaon, Bornas said unidentified persons made off with the batteries of Phivolcs' monitoring equipment, rendering the monitoring gear useless.

 

At Taal, unidentified persons took the monitoring equipment's solar batteries, causing problems in monitoring Taal Lake's temperature.

 

In Mayon's case so far, Bornas said there had been no theft of equipment after someone trying to steal Phivolcs' field meter at Mayon was caught sometime ago.

 

On Tuesday, Mayon had a phreatic eruption that startled local residents.  

 

At least five people were killed after being caught up in the eruption.  —KG, GMA News