THE National Capital Region Police Office now boasts of a modern Explosives and Ordnance Disposal/K-9 Unit with highly-trained narcotics and bomb detection dogs which will be their latest ‘front-liners’ in their anti-criminality and anti-terror campaign in Metro Manila, NCRPO director, Major General Debold M. Sinas said yesterday.
According to the Metro Manila police chief, their dog sniffers have underwent a rigid Explosive Detector Dogs and Narcotics Detector Dogs’ Training as part of their effort to upgrade their capability to search for concealed drugs and bombs and other improvised explosive devices.
At present, the NCRPO EOD/K-9 Unit has 40 dogs, 27 of which are already ‘on duty’ while eight other are currently undergoing an Explosive Detector Dog training. Five others are being trained on how to sniff drugs specifically shabu.
The NCRPO EOD/K-9 Unit on Tuesday displayed their capabilities during an exercise in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City where their dogs managed to recognize and detect drugs and explosive materials hidden in boxes.
After detecting a package containing suspected drugs or explosive materials, the dogs sit near the box to alarm their handlers.
Maj. Gen. Sinas said that the dogs will form part of their ‘frontline team’ to boost the intensified campaign of NCRPO against the proliferation of illegal drugs and ensure the safety of vital installations in different parts of the metropolis by timely detecting narcotics and presence of suspected bomb materials.
“Moreover, they will be deployed during our conduct of shock and awe operations in vital installations and other places of major convergence in Metro Manila including shopping malls, train stations and transport terminals,” he said.
The NCRPO chief said they have increased the capability of their EOD/K-9 Unit since they play a major role in their intensified campaign against illegal drugs and anti-terror operations in the metropolis.
It was under Sinas that the NCRPO EOD/K-9 Unit was modernized with the acquisition of additional dog sniffers.
The NCRPO EOD/K9 Unit is mandated to conduct safe disposal of all bombs and neutralization of hazards from chemicals, nuclear, and improvised explosive devices (IED) which threatens public safety, installations and utilities as well as police operations and personnel.
During their Explosive and Narcotics Detector Dog and Handler’s Training, the dogs and their handlers were required to pass a series of activities such as obstacle course and daily walks to increase their stamina, alertness and endurance.
“Considering the distinct and diverse factors affecting police intervention in Metro Manila and the number of vital installations installed herein, NCRPO utilizes all available methods to upgrade its delivery of police service,” Sinas said.
“I am elated for the unwavering effort of our EOD/K9 Unit to uplift its capability and skills through training and innovations not only in bomb detection and disposal but also in narcotics detection which will ultimately result in a more orderly and safe Metro,” he added.
