PDEA: Not liable over K-9s' deaths

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has asked the Commission on Audit to reconsider its decision denying PDEA's request for relief from accountability for the death of four drug-sniffing dogs.

In a motion for partial reconsideration filed before the commission on March 7, PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said that there was a misappreciation of the documentary exhibits presented by the agency on the case.

"Based on the documents presented, it is safe to conclude that the death of the four K-9 dogs namely Bryan, OJ, Bobby and Bullet were properly documented and investigated by PDEA contrary to the initial COA findings that there was no showing that the deaths of these four dogs were investigated," Cacdac said.

"We have records to prove that the four K-9 dogs, valued at P3,056,000, expired due to natural causes as evidenced by the necropsy reports and death certificates issued by duly-licensed veterinarians," he added.

In 2002, 14 K-9 narcotic detector dogs were turned over by the defunct National Drug Law Enforcement and Prevention Coordinating Center to PDEA.

However, out of the 14, 12 died one after the other brought about by complication of old age and senility.

COA said that the deaths of only eight of the 12 K-9 dogs from 2002 to 2009 were properly documented as verified by its audit team.

"We are hoping that our pursuit for credit of non-liability be allowed because the deaths of these dogs were all documented, that their loss was due to natural causes and not prompted by the negligence on the part of the accountable officer," Cacdac said.