Albay: The Philippine Army (PA) on Monday assured the public that its forces are prepared to help secure the so-called "permanent danger zones" and conduct rescue and relief missions for communities affected by the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano in Albay.

According to Philippine News Agency, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala conveyed the army's readiness to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts for the affected communities. The army is collaborating with local government units and disaster response agencies to streamline actions, hasten response times, and optimize resource allocation for the affected families.

This assurance comes in response to queries about the potential deployment of troops following the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology's (PHIVOLCS) directive to place Mayon Volcano under Alert Level 3 on January 1. In light of this advisory, the PA, through its 9th Infantry Division, activated Task Force Sagip on January 6. This task force includes units from the 901st and 903rd Infantry Brigades.

These units are providing security and manpower assistance during the pre-emptive evacuation of residents due to the threat posed by the Mayon Volcano's dome collapse and pyroclastic density currents. They are working closely with the Office of Civil Defense Region V, local disaster response and rescue operation teams, and local Government Units (LGUs) for the smooth conduct of HADR efforts in Albay.

Col. Dema-ala highlighted that troops are currently aiding in relief efforts for the 2,449 individuals now residing in evacuation centers across the towns of Camalig, Guinobatan, Daraga, and Tabaco City. Additionally, PA troops have established checkpoints on vital roads to ensure security in the area.