Kanlaon records five quakes ahead of polls

Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island registered five volcanic quakes on Saturday, 10 May, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

In the latest bulletin issued by Phivolcs on Saturday spanning a 24-hour period from 12 AM on Friday, the volcano also emitted 2,661 tonnes of sulfur dioxide on Wednesday with moderate plumes reaching 150 meters tall before drifting northwest.

The volcano's edifice remains inflated, signaling continued magma or gas build-up.

Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 3 or intensified unrest or magmatic unrest. The six-kilometer radius from the volcano should remain evacuated.

Residents are advised to be alert of hazards including sudden explosive eruption, lava flow/effusion, ashfall, pyroclastic density current, rockfall, and lahars during heavy rains.

The volcano’s last explosive eruption occurred last 8 April.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections - Negros Island Region (COMELEC - NIR) assured that they remain ready for the upcoming elections despite the threats posed by the volcano.

Comelec-NIR Assistant Regional Director Jossil Macute stated that they were able to complete the necessary testing of Automated Counting Machines deployed across polling centers and evacuation sites.

Macute noted that in the event of a volcanic eruption on election day, a postponement may be declared.