Cebu-trained K-9s to beef up Pope security

A military K-9 handler guide his dog as they search fpr explosives ‘planted’ among cars parked in AFP Central Command grounds. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Government security forces in Central Visayas will send troops and trained dogs to help secure Pope Francis in Tacloban and Palo, Leyte on January 17.

The Regional Public Safety Battalion-7 (RPSB-7) will send 400 of its personnel today to Tacloban, to augment security of Pope Francis who will meet with survivors of supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

An air force C-130 freighter will ferry the policemen from Cebu to Tacloban.

RPSB-7 commander, Senior Supt. Clifford Gairanod, said all is ready for their deployment to Leyte.

Police Regional Office-7 commander, Chief Supt. Prudencio Bañas, will lead the send off of  the policemen.

The PNP Civil Security Group early this week sent a team to Cebu to test and evaluate the capabilities of government and private-owned bomb and drug-sniffing dogs (K-9 units).

The dogs underwent a four-level test at the AFP Central Command headquarters in Cebu City. Those who passed the test would be taken to Leyte to join the security contingent that will secure the areas to be visited by Pope Francis.

According to a police official who is part of the CSG team of evaluators,  the dog and its handler had to pass three  of the four tests where they have to search and detect hidden explosives.

The first level was in an open area, in a closed room, inspection of baggage and vehicle inspection.

T/Sgt Danilo Manuel, of the Army K-9 Unit said that 43 out of the 45 K-9s passed the evaluation.

Two aspiring K-9s failed to detect the explosives during the timed tests.

“It will always be a team effort, It won’t do if the dog is really good is sniffing bombs pero yung handler is hindi at vice versa,” Manuel to CDN.

Lt. Cmdr. Jim Alagao, information officer of the Central Command said  he is glad that most of  K-9s passed the test.

“More K-9 dogs means more security asset,” he said.