According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), two solar panels were stolen from the DOST-PHIVOLCS Mayon Resthouse (VMRH). The station is known for storing “instruments for earthquake monitoring, Global Positioning System (GPS) and tiltmeter.”
The theft was discovered by Mayon Volcano Observatory personnel, who were implementing their routine inspection and preventive maintenance service.
With these panels missing, PHIVOLCS said that “no data will be transmitted from this station and consequently will affect the monitoring of Mayon Volcano.”
The institution reminded that Republic Act 10344 (Risk Reduction and Preparedness Equipment Protection Act of 2012) penalizes “the unauthorized taking, stealing, keeping or tampering of government risk reduction and preparedness equipment, accessories and similar facilities.”
As of today, the Mayon Volcano is on Alert Level 2, which means there is a “moderate level of unrest.” Volcanologists have spotted a “crater glow” in the past few days, which possibly means an upward movement of “remnant magma” from the volcano’s last eruption in 2018. They added that there is a “slight swelling or inflation of the edifice” since February 2019.
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