Arf-arf-arf: Santa dogs coming to C. Luzon malls

MANILA, Philippines - You've seen Santa cops. Now meet Santa dogs. In Central Luzon, dogs wearing red Santa hats and red Santa costumes have been deployed at malls and shopping centers to sniff out bombs and drugs. "Deploy natin sa shopping malls, public places na pinupuntahan ng maraming tao para siguraduhing ang mamamayan ligtas sa pampasabog (We deployed them to shopping malls and public places where people congregate, so they can keep people safe from bombs)," new Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Leo Nilo de la Cruz said in an interview on dzBB radio Thursday night. He said the present compliment of Santa dogs includes 19 "graduates" from a recent training course. De la Cruz said he thought of the "Santa dogs" concept because the regular K-9 units deployed in malls and shopping centers may look too intimidating. “[These dogs and the K9 handlers] will be in and out of shopping malls and major commercial centers from opening to closing time up to January 4 next year to ensure the safety and security of the people," he added. He also said that while the dogs may be expensive to "maintain," the animals are an asset to them. "Kung ang problema costing, we have to bite the bullet. Ang pulis di marunong umamoy ng bomba (If the problem is costing, we have to bite the bullet. Cops don't know how to sniff out bombs)," he said. - GMANews.TV with a report from Ronaldo Madrid Leander