PCG to train 'askal' sniffers

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is planning to include native dogs, popularly known as “askal” in its elite K9 Unit.

PCG-K9 Unit chief Commander Allen Dalangin yesterday said they would train native dogs for bomb and narcotics detection starting in September after experiments showed that they are just as effective as imported canines.               

“We have some local breed dogs in our training facilities in Taguig and every time they notice that big ones undergo special training, we observed that their eyes are watching us train the imported dogs,” he said.

“The askals are curious. It seems that they want to join us.”

The PCG currently has 144 dogs, 10 to 15 of which are half-breeds.

“There is no problem with their performance despite that these dogs were only half-breeds. They could even defeat the imported ones during the training, “Dalangin said.

He said training native dogs would be easier because they require low maintenance, are easier to feed, and would not get sick easily because they have already adjusted to the local climate.