Phivolcs Warns Against Theft of Pinatubo Equipment
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) confirmed on Wednesday the theft of critical earthquake monitoring equipment on the Tarlac side of Mt. Pinatubo. This alarming incident involves devices vital for tracking volcanic activity on one of the most closely watched volcanoes in the country.
Phivolcs discovered the theft during routine maintenance by personnel from the Pinatubo Volcano Observatory (PVO). The agency reported that the seismic vault at the San Jose Observation Station (VPSJ) in San Jose town, Tarlac Province, was forcibly opened and several essential instruments were stolen.
Stolen Monitoring Equipment Details
Among the stolen items is a Kinemetrics Q330HRS+ Quanterra digitizer valued at approximately P1.144 million, along with solar batteries worth P70,000. The digitizer plays a crucial role in recording and converting earthquake signals detected by sensitive seismic sensors connected to the station by specialized cables.
These instruments allow the VPSJ to monitor a wide range of volcanic earthquakes caused by magma movements beneath Mt. Pinatubo, as well as tectonic earthquakes across the Philippine Seismic Network. This equipment is essential for providing timely data that helps protect communities in the region.
Importance of the San Jose Observation Station
The VPSJ, commissioned in February 2022, has been a vital source of information for locating volcano-tectonic earthquakes generated by magma deep beneath the Pinatubo edifice. This volcano spans the provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales.
Furthermore, the station has contributed valuable data for monitoring aftershocks from large earthquakes that have affected northern Luzon since 2022. The loss of this equipment hampers the ability to gather accurate seismic data, which is critical for disaster preparedness.
Repeated Theft Incidents Raise Alarm
Phivolcs noted that the August 6 theft marks the third known incident at the VPSJ. Previously, solar panels were stolen in October and December of 2024. These recurring thefts pose a serious threat to the agency’s ability to monitor seismic activity effectively.
The agency reminded the public that under Republic Act 10344, known as the Risk Reduction and Preparedness Equipment Protection Act of 2012, unauthorized taking, stealing, or tampering with government disaster risk reduction equipment is punishable by law.
Call for Community Support and Vigilance
Phivolcs and its parent agency, the Department of Science and Technology, urged local government units and communities around Mt. Pinatubo to help safeguard volcano monitoring facilities. Protecting these installations ensures that continuous data collection supports the safety and readiness of all sectors exposed to volcanic hazards.
“Any information regarding this theft or similar incidents is crucial to our collective safety,” local officials emphasized. They encourage prompt reporting to prevent further losses and maintain operational coverage of monitoring systems.
Mt. Pinatubo’s catastrophic eruption on June 15, 1991, was preceded by a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake in July 1990 that devastated parts of northern and central Luzon. The stolen equipment at VPSJ plays a key role in detecting such precursors and mitigating future disasters.
For more news and updates on disaster preparedness, visit Filipinokami.com.
