Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered on Sunday, May 3, the mobilization of their personnel and resources to assist Albay residents who were affected by the heavy ashfall from the Mayon Volcano.

Nartatez said the focus is on evacuation and distribution of essential goods, particularly face masks, amid the heavy ashfall that blanketed several communities, especially in the towns of Camalig and Guinobatan.

“We have mobilized sufficient number of personnel and resources to assist in the conduct of disaster response protocols and ensure maximum visibility in affected communities, and we will be sending more once needed,” said PGEN Nartatez.

Ashfall was reported in several towns surrounding Mayon Volcano, one of the country’s most active volcanoes.

Concerned local government units placed nearby communities under heightened alert due to health risks and the possibility of further eruptions while evacuations, especially in areas within the danger zone, were also conducted.

“We are coordinating closely with local government units and disaster response agencies to provide timely and efficient support on the ground. Our ground commanders were instructed to prioritize public safety, enforce rules on restricted zones, and remain on heightened alert while Mayon’s activity persists,” Nartatez said.

Police units on the ground also distributed face masks to the public and issued an advisory to limit outdoor exposure.

The PNP also deployed additional personnel to high-risk barangays and reinforced checkpoints and patrols to address security risks in evacuated communities and in the strict implementation of no-man zone within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone.

“Our police presence is meant to reassure communities that their safety and security remain our top priority even as they evacuate,” said Nartatez.

Mayon emitted thick clouds of gas and ashes late Saturday afternoon, May 2, sending local residents and motorists into panic as volcanic particles covered the roads and communities in some parts of Albay province.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) confirmed the eruption and described it as pyroclastic density current (PDC), or locally called uson.

Mayon Volcano is currently under Alert Level 3, which means that the volcano has been showing intensified magmatic unrest that indicates high probability of a hazardous eruption within weeks or days.