Volcano monitoring battery stolen

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – A 22-year-old man was arrested for possessing a battery used to power a station monitoring Mayon volcano.

Albay police director Superintendent William Macavinta said Jomar Ramirez, a resident of Barangay Sto. Niño in Sto. Domingo, Albay, had offered to sell the battery to a junk shop.

Suspecting that Ramirez could be one of those reported in the media to have stolen batteries and other gadgets installed at the foot of Mayon volcano, the junk shop owner reported the matter to the police, he added.

Macavinta said a police team immediately went to the residence of Ramirez, where they found him in possession of the battery.

Volcanologist Alex Baloloy identified the battery as having been stolen a week ago, he added.

Macavinta said Ramirez remains in the custody of the Sto. Domingo police for further investigation. “We hope that he would pinpoint who are his accomplices,” he said.

Meanwhile, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the Bicol Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had already passed a resolution urging classification of monitoring instruments around Mayon volcano as vital to be included as government properties to be closely safeguarded. 

Salceda said they also recommended that the theft of such instruments be non-bailable, an amendment to the existing penalty of P50,000 fine and imprisonment of six years and below.

“If this is the only way to make sure that these very important gadgets would be spared by thieves, we have to do it,” he said.