Fifty-three dog handlers and their K9 partners have recently completed a ten-month K9 Explosive Detection Course boosting the capability of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on bomb detection on Wednesday, October 27.
Police Brigadier General Ronaldo L. Llanera, Explosives and Ordinance Division (EOD) K9 Group Director, congratulated the 53 police officers from the K9 Explosive Detection Course Class 07-2020 who have officially finished training.
PBGen Llanera reminded the graduates of the importance of their role particularly in ensuring that the operating troops are protected against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) fashioned out as landmines.
“This training is important to prevent bombs and explosives from being used by the terrorists to inflict casualties and terrorize the populace in order to advance their violent causes,” he said.
Dubbed as “Sinanay na Tao Laban sa Terrorismo” (SINTALASMO), the handler-trainees went through courses in understanding K9 behavior and dogs’ drive development; while the Explosive Detection Dogs (EDDs) underwent familiarization with explosive substances targeted for detection, improvement of their olfactory ability to distinguish scents of explosive substances and IEDs, and development of their capabilities to differentiate odors of explosives.
The course also allowed participants to understand the five basic freedoms of animals, receive training regarding search patterns, detect hazards, acquire basic knowledge about safety guidelines, among others.
As the keynote speaker, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang expressed how the graduates of the Basic Handler’s Course on Explosive Detection remain vital in the province’s all-out war against local communist armed conflict.
“This training is a big boost in our campaign against the threats existing in our efforts in finding, fixing, and finishing the enemy,” Governor Dayanghirang said.
The governor added that the superior sense of smell of dogs makes them a valuable tool in the detection of concealed explosives. As a dog owner himself, the Governor recognizes how expensive it is for pet-owners to raise a canine. Hence, he promised to coordinate with the local government units for the financial support towards the handlers.
During the graduation, the top 3 handlers were also recognized for their academic excellence shown all throughout the 10-month course. The first place was given to Pat John Paul C. Azuelo who obtained an academic score of 94.2%. He was followed by Pat Heherson M. Naquila (91.1%), and PSSg Caryl D. Melendres (91%), respectively.
The K9 teams will be deployed in the checkpoints and roadblocks, cordon and search operations, force protection and anti-terrorism operations, suspicious and unattended package response, bomb threats, high-risk personal searches, access control points, and luggage searches.
Also graced the graduation ceremony were Davao Oriental Police Provincial Director PCol. Efren E. Orlina, Coast Guard K9 Commanding Officer LTCG Arvin L. Jerao, Regional Director PBGen Filmore B. Escobal, Mati City Mayor Michelle N. Rabat who was represented by Mr. Allan Andrada, Banaybanay Mayor Adalia Lopez, Tarragona Mayor Nestor Uy, among other uniformed personnel.
