A dog handler pats Gila, one of the K9 dogs turned over by Provincial Capitol to the PDEA-7, for being able to trace the drug inside the rubber tire (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA).
Three K9 dogs will help monitor the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) and the South Bus Terminal as the local government attempts to avert any terror attacks and arrest illegal drug couriers.
The Cebu provincial government yesterday entrusted to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) two Belgian Malinois and a black Labrador in a short ceremony at the PDEA-7 office.
The K9 dogs’ food, vaccines, and other needs will be shouldered by the Capitol.
PDEA-7 Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz said the needs of each dog would cost about P11,000 every month.
“We are very happy to have these K9 dogs. They are really very useful to us in our campaign against crimes and illegal drugs,” he said.
Aside from detecting explosives, Ruiz said the K9 dogs can help them discover illegal drugs.
One K9 dog will be stationed at the CPDRC, while the other one will be at the South Bus Terminal.
The third dog is on standby and will substitute the others during their rest days.
“I consider this a milestone; the first time a local government donated K9 dogs to the PDEA-7,” Ruiz said.
He’s hoping PDEA-7 will have more K9 dogs to help anti-illegal drug agents.
“We actually need at least 10 dogs. But we will make do of what we have now,” Ruiz said.
Carmen Remedios Durano-Meca, executive director of the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office, said she’s hoping the K9 dogs will help the province in its campaign against illegal drugs and other crimes.
She said the dogs’ three handlers are considered employees of the Capitol.