Local cops brace for possible evacuation of residents around Taal

PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday placed concerned personnel on high alert in case residents need to be evacuated from areas surrounding restive Taal Volcano.

In a statement, Eleazar said the Police Regional Office 4A and other concerned units and offices should start coordinating with local government units to identify residents who need their assistance.

He added that local police offices should also be updated on the volcano’s activity.

“Simulan na natin ang pakikipagcoordinate sa mga lokal na opisyal para agad tayong makapagbigay ng tulong sa mga residenteng apektado nitong kasalukuyang activity ng bulkan,” he said.

(We should start coordinating with local officials now so we can immediately provide help to residents affected by the ongoing activity of the volcano).

Eleazar pointed out that the police should better be alert and prepared to ensure the safety of the public.

He also assured the public that no one will be able to get near the volcano.

In January 2020, the PNP said the police in January 2020 raised its security status in some areas in Calabarzon, especially in Batangas, following Taal Volcano's phreatic eruption.

Alert Level 2 remains over Taal Volcano on Thursday, based on the latest bulletin of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

Sudden steam- or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within and around the volcano, PHIVOLCS said.

High levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions and steam-rich plumes of up to 2,000 meters high drifted southwest from Taal Main Crater. Vog was also observed over Taal Caldera.

On Thursday, the PHIVOLCS said the SO2 emissions already reached the National Capital Region and nearby provinces.

In the past 24-hour period, 10 volcanic earthquakes including eight low frequency volcanic earthquakes and two volcanic tremor events with durations of 40 to 110 seconds were recorded. Low-level background tremor has persisted since April 8.

Taal Volcano Island began deflating in April while the Taal region continues to undergo very slow extension since 2020, according to the PHIVOLCS.

“These parameters indicate overall that magmatic unrest continues to occur at shallow depths beneath the edifice,” it added. —LBG, GMA News