The Philippine National Police (PNP) is implementing maximum tolerance and permitted the evacuees who had been insisting to go back and check their homes despite the lockdown being implemented in several towns due to Taal Volcano’s continuous activities.
The five towns that had been locked down were Lemery, Agoncillo, Talisay, Laurel and Balete.
More than 2,000 police are stationed at the five towns’ entry and exit points.
PNP Calabarzon director PBGen. Vicente Danao, Jr. clarified that they only allowed those who have very important things to get back to in their homes, and only for a limited time.
“May limited time lang kaming ibinigay kasi sabi namin sa kanila hindi namin kayo dyan pwedeng payagan forever. What is the use of evacuation kung lahat naman babalik? So, the same people naman na hahakutin na naman natin lahat e dapat siguro in every family isa, dalawa lang. Hindi yung buong pamilya ang babalik,” Danao said.
Army BGen. Marceliano Teofilo said it will create bigger problems for them if they will allow all residents to go back to their houses.
“Ang iba kasi nagbabalikan. Yun ang challenge na tinitake natin. Kaya yung mga pulis ay nag establish ng checkpoint para ma-avoid na nila ang pagpunta doon. Kasi ang inaavoid natin pag may pumasok. That would be another problem lalo na pag pumutok na, mahihirapan yung mga rescuer na pumasok din,” Teofilo said.
To date, around 1,000 military personnel and 99 vehicles are being used in the rescue operations.
The PNP-Maritime group is closely patrolling and strictly monitoring the Taal Lake for those who will try to fish.
“May patrol craft kami don na umiikot sa Taal Lake to make sure na walang bangka na lalaot towards the volcano at any civilian along the coastline. Wala dapat makikitang civilian along the coastline,” said PNP-Maritime director PBGen. Rwin Pagkalinawan.
They are also conducting rescue operations on animals that were left behind by their owners.
“In order to appease those owners, sige ikarga natin sa barges yung inyong mga kabayo, aso at baka para lamang umalis kayo dyan,” Pagkalinawan added.
In total, around 29 horses and 3 cows were rescued since Wednesday (Jan. 15).
Authorities appeal to the public to cooperate on the rules that they are implementing to avoid dangers and untoward incidents. — (from the report of Lea Ylagan) /mbmf
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