LEGAZPI: Security forces will forcibly evacuate thousands of residents reluctant to leave their farms near a smoldering volcano in the Philippines despite fears of a major eruption, officials said. Authorities in Albay province today declared a round-the-clock ban on anyone entering with an eight-km danger zone around the Mayon volcano, which is spewing lava and ash. More than 33,000 of about 47,000 people have been evacuated from the zone this week, after scientists raised a five-stage alert to the third level - a signal of possible hazardous eruptions within weeks. Albay Gov Joey Salceda said a provincial board has authorised police and soldiers to move out some 2,000 remaining families starting on Friday, Salceda said. He said police will show pictures of victims of a 1993 eruption that killed more than 70 people as they go around villages to “inform (residents) of the risk of staying.” He said many have refused to leave their vegetable farms on the volcano’s slopes during the current harvest time. Chief state volcanologist Renato Solidum said Mayon continued to rumble with 82 quakes and eight ash explosions during a 24-hour period ending this morning.