The Canlaon City government in Negros Oriental denied allegations that evacuees were arbitrarily detained amid the continuing restlessness of Kanlaon Volcano from the six-kilometer extended danger zone.

The city government said the allegations about arbitrary detention are baseless, as its goal is the safety and well-being of the community.

“It is the responsibility and priority of the local government unit to protect the lives of its residents in times of threat,” the Canlaon City government said in a statement.

It added that 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 explained.

The Canlaon City government said the evacuation of residents is an order of the Office of Civil Defense and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), which ensure public safety and monitor volcanic activity, respectively.

The locality further stressed that evacuation orders are only temporary and are made to prevent damage.

The city government also called on the public, including legal professionals, “to verify information and refrain from spreading misleading statements that could cause confusion when cooperation and vigilance are needed.”

Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed a total of 1,247 families, composed of 4,010 individuals, are staying in eight evacuation centers in Canlaon.

Phivolcs said five volcanic earthquakes with 200 strong streaming plumes going west and southwest drift were recorded on Tuesday, January 28.

Kanlaon had 1,691 tons of sulfur dioxide flux, and its edifice had been inflated, the agency said.

Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over the volcano./WDJ