Coast Guard deploys additional K9 units to assist in Maco retrieval ops

Coast Guard Southeastern Mindanao has deployed three additional K-9 units to assist in the ongoing search and retrieval operations at Ground Zero of the landslide in the town of Maco in Davao de Oro.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PCG said the specially trained dogs and their handlers arrived from Zamboanga City to the area on Tuesday morning, where they received a blessing from district chaplain, Reverend Father Emmanuel Cabahug.

The additional SAR dogs--Britney, Tiffa and Ivy--  join Appa, the lone Coast Guard Working Dog who was able to help in the rescue a three-year old survivor and recover the remains of at least four people who were buried in the deadly landslide in Barangay Masara last February 6.

Following his contributions in round-the-clock SAR operations, Appa was given a short rest where he was assessed by the provincial veterinarian and provided vitamins before returning to search for victims.

Multiple K9 units would increase the SAR coverage area while allowing the dogs to work in shifts.

As of Monday, the death toll of the Maco landslides now stands at 68, while operations have since shifted from rescue to retrieval.

 According to authorities at the scene, they face challenges in identifying the decomposing bodies they recover.

 “Nare-recognize nila 'yung facial identity ng victim but later on, hindi na siya ma-identify,” said  Dr. Charino Labrador of the National Bureau of Investigation-Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-SEMRO).

 (They recognize the victims’ facial identities but later on, they cannot be identified anymore.)

 We rely on the secondary parameters. Ine-examine namin mga 10 minutes for fingerprint tapos 'yung mga identification cards, jewelry, deformities sa katawan, tattoos,” Labrador said.

 (We rely on the secondary parameters. We examine the fingerprints, identification cards, jewelry, deformities, and tattoos.)—RF, GMA Integrated News