PNP deploys 436 service dogs for safe holidays

MANILA, Philippines — Taking no chances in the security coverage for the Yuletide season, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is deploying service dogs to secure areas of convergence.

Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP public information officer, said a total of 436 police service dogs are securing airports, seaports and other transportation terminals across the country as part of measures for “Ligtas Paskuhan” 2023.

Of the number, Fajardo said 364 are explosive detection dogs while the rest are trained in sniffing illegal drugs.

“We will also help the security management of these vital installations to ensure nothing will get past us,” Fajardo said in mixed Filipino and English at a news briefing at Camp Crame.

The PNP will go on full alert status beginning Dec. 15, ahead of the traditional “Simbang Gabi” or pre-dawn masses from
Dec. 16 to 24.

Fajardo said leaves of police officers are canceled to ensure that the 228,000-strong police force would be available for deployment.

The PNP has so far deployed 39,000 police officers in areas of convergence and vital installations.

The figure does not include the augmentation forces from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard, Fajardo said.