On 19 April 2026, during a routine maintenance activity by Mayon Volcano Observatory (MVO) personnel, it was discovered that the cables of the DOST-PHIVOLCS’ Ligao Observation Station (VMLI) in Paulog, Ligao City, Albay Province, were cut and stolen, causing the station to become non-operational. Included among those stolen were six (6) meters solar cables, three (3) meters battery cables, five (5) meters liquid-tight conduit cables and even three (3) meters of LAN/FTP cables. These items are essential to VMLI’s autonomous power generation, supply and storage and real-time volcano monitoring data communications.  VMLI operates broadband seismic and infrasound sensors for critical recording of a wide range of volcanic earthquakes and explosions from Mayon, an IP camera for visual monitoring from west of the volcano, and power and communications equipment. Commissioned in July 2019, VMLI has provided critical data for locating volcanic earthquakes and assessing surface processes related to the 2023 and ongoing 2026 eruptions of Mayon. It is also specifically located for potential tectonic earthquake activity along the splay of the Philippine Fault Zone (PFZ) traversing the Bicol Peninsula.

Republic Act 10344 or the 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.” DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly enjoins the local government units and communities in and around Mayon Volcano to help keep volcano monitoring facilities safe from such illegal acts so that operational coverage of every sector of the volcano can be sustained for their collective readiness and safety.  Any information concerning the above case of theft, as well as all prompt reporting of similar incidents in the future, will be of great importance to our collective safety.