The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed three more search and rescue dogs to help in the retrieval operations in the Masara, Maco, Davao de Oro landslide.

At least 63 people remained missing as of February 11, 2024 data of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Maco.

The K9 units came from the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) in Pagadian City and arrived at the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) in Davao City morning on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.

These dogs are well-trained in search and rescue and they are classmates of “Apa”, the dog that traced the location of the three-year-old girl rescued at the landslide site.

According to the PCG, these dogs have been serving for five to six years and their expertise in search and rescue has already been proven during previous calamities in Luzon and Visayas.

Authorities are hopeful that more missing individuals will be found with the help of the K9 dogs.

The landslide on February 6, 2024 killed at least 55 people. Thirty-two were rescued, as of February 12.

The landslide site is now a “no-build zone” according to the provincial government. 

(With reports from John Ryan Calonia, GMA Super Radyo Davao)