PNP eyes to have 300 K9 dogs by year end

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing to reach more or less 300 bomb-sniffing dogs by year end, an official of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine (EOD/K9) Group said on Monday.

Superintendent Reynaldo Helaga, deputy of the K9 division, said that the PNP has currently around 200 bomb-sniffing dogs while 45 others are still undergoing training.

The PNP is also evaluating a total of 48 bomb-sniffing dogs for the procurement.

"Ongoing pa 'yung 48 natin ngayon na evaluation, so within this year makukuha," Helaga said.

While Helaga admitted that 300 bomb-sniffing dogs are not enough, he said that the ideal number is 510.

At least 45 teams on Monday including some members of the Special Action Force, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Aviation Security Group, National Capital Region Police Police Regional Office 4-A and PRO 3 participated in the 1st EOD/K9 Group Explosive Detection Dogs and Handlers Competition.

"Ginawa po natin ito para magkaro'n po ng parang camaraderie ng lahat ng mga K9 units natin...para na rin ma-test namin 'yung mga K9s natin sa PNP unit and as well para ma-gauge natin kung ano pang kailangan natin i-enhance sa mga aso natin and to prepare them also for any significant na mga pangyayari dito po sa ka-Maynilaan as well as sa mga ibang regions po ng PNP natin," Helaga said.

"'Yung explosive detection dogs po natin ito po 'yung mga ginagamit natin na mga parameter para in case may mga engagement tayo, may mga activities tayo, sila po 'yung nauuna na pinapanel po 'yung area natin," he added.

Some of the K9 units were previously assigned in the war-torn city of Marawi.

In February, PNP chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said that 48 bomb-sniffing dogs, worth P545,000 each, will serve the police force for 15 years. —KG, GMA News