CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is planning to have additional K9s to intensify the campaign against the illegal drug trade in the province.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the PDEA wanted to procure 24 more K9s to help its personnel secure all entry points of the province.
While she understands that PDEA has no budget for the acquisition of these dogs, she said she already informed the anti-drug agency to submit the project proposal in order for them to know the budget.
With the additional canines, the governor said entry of illegal drugs into Cebu will be more effectively prevented.
Garcia is confident that the province may become a center for K9 operations in the Visayas if the project pushes through, saying that the agency may need additional training area for the canine unit.
PDEA intelligence officer David Mark Maramba said that the agency has only two K9s, which serve as “watchdogs” at the airport. These dogs are also deployed in the region.
But since these K9s are already aging, they have become less effective. – (FREEMAN)