On Friday, Philippine state volcanologists raised the alert to "Level 3," signaling a possible imminent eruption, prompting military forces, law enforcement, and emergency workers to evacuate 10,000 people near Mayon Volcano.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) told authorities it was necessary to evacuate residents within a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius of Mayon's crater, according to CNN Philippines. Mayon is one of the most active volcanos in the Southeast Asia island nation and is regularly monitored by Phivolcs. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said evacuations from a 'permanent danger zone' was underway:

"Right now, what we are doing is preparing and moving people away from the area so that, should the time come, I hope it doesn't happen… we're ready," Marcos told reporters. "But unfortunately science tells us that may happen because the lid or the cap on top of the lava is slowly rising."

Phivolcs raised the alert level around Mayon to three on Thursday after observing a surge in rockfalls and earthquake swarms. Level 3 is based on a five-tier warning system. If the alert is raised to Level 4, thousands more will be evacuated. 

The most recent eruption of the Mayon volcano occurred in 2018.