Cebu cops on alert following Kanlaon eruption

CEBU CITY – Several police stations in the province of Cebu have been placed on heightened alert following the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.

THE 62nd Infantry Battalion assists in the evacuation of residents in Bago City, Negros Occidental following the eruption of  Kanlaon Volcano on Monday. (Visayas Command)

The Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) said police stations in areas facing Negros Oriental are on heightened alert to monitor the ash plume. 

Police stations that are on heightened alert are Aloguinsan, Pinamungajan, Toledo City, Balamban, Asturias, Tuburan, and Tabuelan.

Police Capt. Eden Baguio, information officer of the CPPO, said the eruption has yet to affect Cebu but police personnel have been ordered to coordinate with the local government units as part of the monitoring.

Police were asked to conduct an information dissemination drive to brief residents on what to do should ashfall reach their areas.

Facemasks have also been prepared in case some areas will be affected by the ashfall from the eruption.

Baguio added that there are standby personnel should the situation worsen.

“Even here in CCPO, we have already checked our search and rescue equipment just in case there will be a situation in Kanlaon. We are ready to provide additional deployment in Kanlaon if needed,” said Baguio.

The Police Regional Office-Central Visayas is also prepared should there be a need to send augmentation personnel to Negros Island.

The Visayas Command (Viscom) has prepared its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) teams.

Viscom commander Lt. Gen. Fernando Reyeg said they have coordinated with local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils.

“We are working hand-in-hand with local authorities to assess the situation and provide the necessary support when the need arises. Our coordinated efforts aim to mitigate the impact of this eruption,” said Reyeg.