Connect with us

News

22 teams complete PDEA K9 training

Published

on

FILE: PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino, however, said no cultivator was apprehended during the operation that swept a marijuana cultivation site, with an estimated land area of 12,967 sq. meters, in West Tinglayan, Kalinga last October 27. (Photo: PDEA)

FILE: PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino (Photo: PDEA)

MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday concluded its three-month K9-unit basic handler’s course attended 22 participants from the agency and counterparts from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine National Police-Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PNP PRO-COR) and Philippine Marines.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said the course seeks to enable the participants to appreciate and understand how a K9-unit team works effectively and efficiently as front liners during anti-drug operations and enhance handlers’ connection with their respective dogs as future K-9 team supervisors.

“The 12-week course enabled the participants to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and techniques in handling narcotics detection dogs (NDDs) and acquaint them with scenarios that require K9 operations and special tactics, including greyhound operations in correctional facilities, check-point operations and airport and seaport interdictions,” Aquino said after the graduation ceremony of the PDEA K9 Basic Handlers Course Class 2017-03 on Thursday held at the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City.

The PDEA K9-unit has 52 strong NDDs composed of 32 Belgian Malinoises, five Jack Russell Terriers, 11 Labrador Retrievers, two German Shepherds and two Golden Retrievers, and 57 handlers in 17 regions nationwide.

Aquino said the course allowed participants to familiarize themselves with substances subject for detection; understanding of K9 behavior and the five basic freedoms of animals, receive training regarding search patterns and to detect hazards; basic knowledge in airport and port operations and safety guidelines, among others.

“These canines, when properly trained and ably assisted by humans, can be inexpensive, low technology but proven indispensable assets against the ongoing drug problem in the country,” the PDEA chief said.

PDEA has requested for an additional PHP934 million budget in 2018 to finance several projects in the pipeline, which includes the acquisition of 13 NDDs with training worth P500,000 each.

In a related development, PDEA and the local government of San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan (SJDMC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the donation of 1,000 square meters parcel of land in the jurisdiction of the city.

Aquino said the MOU sealed the partnership between PDEA and SJDMC, and the parcel of land donated will be utilized in putting-up a K9 facility for the agency’s narcotic dogs that are considered indispensable assets in the conduct of drug operations.

Aquino and Mayor Arthur B. Robes inked the agreement in a simple ceremony held at the PDEA National Headquarters on Thursday.

The MOU signing was witnessed by SJDMC Rep. Florida Robes.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maria in Vancouver

Lifestyle1 month ago

Becoming Your Best Version

By Matter Laurel-Zalko As a woman, I’m constantly evolving. I’m constantly changing towards my better version each year. Actually, I’m...

Lifestyle2 months ago

The True Power of Manifestation

I truly believe in the power of our imagination and that what we believe in our lives is an actual...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

DECORATE YOUR HOME 101

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Our home interiors are an insight into our brains and our hearts. It is our own collaboration...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

Guide to Planning a Wedding in 2 Months

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Are you recently engaged and find yourself in a bit of a pickle because you and your...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

Staying Cool and Stylish this Summer

By Matte Laurel-Zalko I couldn’t agree more when the great late Ella Fitzgerald sang “Summertime and the livin’ is easy.”...

Maria in Vancouver4 months ago

Ageing Gratefully and Joyfully

My 56th trip around the sun is just around the corner! Whew. Wow. Admittedly, I used to be afraid of...

Maria in Vancouver5 months ago

My Love Affair With Pearls

On March 18, 2023, my article, The Power of Pearls was published. In that article, I wrote about the history...

Maria in Vancouver5 months ago

7 Creative Ways to Propose!

Sometime in April 2022, my significant other gave me a heads up: he will be proposing to me on May...

Maria in Vancouver6 months ago

Why Eating Healthy Matters

We are what we eat, so don’t be fast, cheap, easy, or fake — we should take these words to...

Maria in Vancouver6 months ago

Maria Goes To Lapu Lapu Day Block Party!

On April 27, 2024, the Filipino community of Vancouver had its first Pinoy multi-Block Party in the most diverse neighbourhood,...