• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The City of Canlaon in Negros Oriental dismissed as baseless the allegations of arbitrary detention in connection with the evacuation of its residents within the six-kilometer extended danger zone amid the continuing unrest of Mt. Kanlaon.
In a statement on Tuesday (Jan. 28), the city government pointed out that the evacuation of residents is a mandate of the Office of Civil Defense and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), which ensures public safety and monitors the volcanic activity, respectively.
Based on the records of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, a total of 1,247 families, composed of 4,010 individuals, are staying in the 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 its residents in times of threat, the city government said these precautionary measures are not illegal.
These are based on disaster management protocols that aim to ensure the safety of all who are potentially affected by the dangerous eruption, it added.
It further stressed that evacuation orders are only temporary and are made to prevent damage.
The allegations about arbitrary detention are baseless as its goal is the safety and well-being of the community, the LGU said.
Instead, 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 issued on Tuesday, Phivolcs said it recorded 22 volcanic earthquakes, including three volcanic tremors (eight to 31 minutes long) in the past 24 hours, with three ash eruptions as high as 900 meters.
Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Mt. Kanlaon. | GB
