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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Mayon monitoring station in Albay down after cable theft — Phivolcs

Mayon monitoring station in Albay down after cable theft — Phivolcs

Published Apr 21, 2026 06:48 pm
Photos show severed cables and vandalized pipe conduits at the Ligao Observation Station, which disrupted seismic, communication, and visual observation feeds from the western sector of Mayon Volcano. The volcano remains under Alert Level 3 due to ongoing eruptive activity. (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology)
Photos show severed cables and vandalized pipe conduits at the Ligao Observation Station, which disrupted seismic, communication, and visual observation feeds from the western sector of Mayon Volcano. The volcano remains under Alert Level 3 due to ongoing eruptive activity. (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology)
A volcano monitoring station in Ligao City, Albay has been rendered non-operational after its cables were cut and stolen, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Tuesday, April 21.
The damage was discovered on April 19 during a routine maintenance check by personnel of the Mayon Volcano Observatory.
Phivolcs said the Ligao Observation Station (VMLI) in Barangay Paulog lost key power and communications components, including solar, battery, conduit, and LAN cables.
“These items are essential to VMLI’s autonomous power generation, supply and storage, and real-time volcano monitoring data communications,” the agency said.
It added that the station plays a critical role in monitoring activity from Mayon Volcano using seismic and infrasound sensors.
“VMLI operates broadband seismic and infrasound sensors for critical recording of a wide range of volcanic earthquakes and explosions from Mayon, an IP camera for visual monitoring from west of the volcano, and power and communications equipment,” Phivolcs said.
Commissioned in 2019, the facility has been used in tracking Mayon’s activity during its 2023 eruption and the ongoing unrest this year.
It is also part of a wider monitoring network along the Philippine Fault Zone in Bicol.
Phivolcs said any interruption in monitoring stations affects its ability to deliver timely and accurate hazard information, as close surveillance of Mayon’s activity remains critical.
Mayon Volcano is currently under Alert Level 3, which indicates intensified magmatic unrest and the continued possibility of hazardous eruption scenarios. It has been under this alert status since January 6.
Citing Republic Act No. 10344, or the Risk Reduction and Preparedness Equipment Protection Act of 2012, Phivolcs said that “the unauthorized taking, stealing, keeping or tampering of government risk reduction and preparedness equipment, accessories and similar facilities” is punishable under the law.
It urged local communities to help safeguard monitoring stations and called on the public to report any information that may help identify those responsible.

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PHIVOLCS MAYON THEFT ALBAY VOLCANO MONITORING STATION
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