Mayon cools down but experts say volcano still restive

Mayon simmered down Tuesday due to rains brought by a new low pressure-area in the Bicol region but the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the volcano remains restive. Phivolcs said Mayon remains under alert level 3, noting increased tremors near the mountain throughout Monday night. It also said it expects at least more two weeks of tremors before the possibility of explosions that can lead to a major eruption. Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr. said Monday night that the quake and tsunami that hit Indonesia Monday will not affect or accelerate the activity of Mayon and other volcanoes in the Philippines. Rains from the low pressure area have caused sleepless nights for village watchmen of areas near Mayon Volcano, who had to look out for signs of an ash fall or another explosion or lava flow. "We cannot sleep in this rain. The signal to evacuate residents may come anytime so we have to be alert," DZBB radio quoted a "tanod" of Barangay Matan-ag in Legaspi City in Albay as saying. Matan-ag is one of at least four villages told to remain alert for possible evacuation, as they are within the six- to seven-kilometer danger zone around Mayon. Heavy rains from the low-pressure area in Bicol have affected several parts of Albay province since Monday night, sparking fears among residents that boulders or fragments could be loosened by the rains.-GMANews.TV