First batch of search, rescue dogs graduate at Coast Guard

MANILA, Philippines - They are experts in detecting explosives and illegal drugs, but a new batch of canines of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been specially trained to help in search and rescue (SAR) operations, and in locating cadavers buried under landslides.

PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said this is the first time they have trained dogs purposely for rescuing survivors and locating corpses buried under debris or mud.

The canines completed the six-month training course yesterday at the PCG K-9 Unit training facility in Taguig City.

“This is our answer to the call of the times. People are often trapped underneath landslides caused by heavy rains. With the addition of SAR and cadaver trained dogs to our K-9 Unit, the Coast Guard is now more capable of assisting people in need,” said Balilo.

The PCG has undertaken a new role of responding to emergencies brought about by extreme weather conditions like flashfloods and landslides.

Outgoing PCG K-9 Unit head Commander Allen Dalangin said even before the canines graduated, four of them had already joined in the search and rescue operation in Compostela Valley last month.

The four dogs – a Belgian Malinois named Hermes, Labrador Josh, Golden Retriever Buddy and German Shepherd Inday – reportedly helped recover eight bodies. They are among the seven dogs that would graduate today.

Dalangin said six of the new graduates have been taught on SAR and cadaver search, while a Belgian Malinois named Bok is a skilled attack dog. The two other SAR and cadaver finder dogs are Belgian Malinois Mica and German Shepherd Puppy.

“We are expanding the expertise of our dogs,” said Dalangin.

When the K-9 Unit started, they only had dogs trained in detecting explosives and illegal drugs.

He said the attack dogs would be useful in patrolling the pier and on board ships, and in chasing petty criminals like snatchers and disarming hostage-takers.

Dalangin, who headed the K-9 unit for four years, would be transferring to the CG 2 or Security and Law Enforcement Office.

“The things I learned from the K-9 Unit, such as knowing how we could maximize the use of our canines, would be useful in CG 2.”

Commander Luisito Sibayan, who previously headed the Maritime Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU), took over yesterday as the new PCG-K-9 Unit chief.