• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Canlaon City government in Negros Oriental yesterday dismissed as baseless the allegations of arbitrary detention being made on social media, related to the evacuation of its residents within the six kilometer extended danger zone, due of the continuing restiveness of Kanlaon volcano.
In a statement, the Canlaon City government pointed out that the evacuation of residents within the danger zone is a mandate of the Office of Civil Defense and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, government agencies which ensures public safety and monitors volcanic activity, respectively.
Based on the records of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, a total of 1,247 families, composed of 4,010 individuals, are staying at eight evacuation centers in Canlaon City.
Stressing that it is the responsibility and priority of the Local Government Unit (LGU) to protect the lives of the residents in times of threat, the Canlaon City government said the precautionary measures are not illegal, and are based on disaster management protocols that aim to ensure the safety of all who are potentially affected by the dangerous eruption.
It further stressed that evacuation orders are only temporary and are to prevent damage.
The allegations of “arbitrary detention” are baseless, as its goal is the safety and well-being of the community, the LGU said, as it asked the public, including legal professionals, to verify information and refrain from spreading misleading statements that could cause confusion when cooperation and vigilance is needed.
In an advisory it issued on Tuesday, PHIVOLCS recorded 22 volcanic earthquakes, including three volcanic tremors that were eight to 31 minutes long, with three ash eruptions reaching as high as 900 meters tall, at the Kanlaon volcano in the past 24 hours.
The volcano edifice remains inflated.*