Poor villagers risk lives in danger zone as Philippines' Mayon volcano erupts

Homes are seen near the permanent danger zone surrounding Mayon volcano at Bonga village in Albay province, northeastern Philippines, on June 15, 2023. - AP

CALBAYOG, Philippines (AP): Delfina Guiwan’s heart was pounding as she snuck back to her village, now abandoned and eerily quiet, in the fertile foothills of gently erupting Mayon volcano in the northeastern Philippines.

When patrolling police spotted her, they warned that the village is off-limits because of the danger of a violent eruption at any time. Guiwan, 47, said she knew the risks but begged to stay a few minutes more to get her daughter’s school uniform from their shack and feed her pigs.