A total of 64 trainees have graduated from the Handler's Basic Course as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) stepped up its efforts to train more dogs and handlers in its campaign the smuggling of illegal drugs.

PDEA PDEA Director General Undersecretary Wilkins M Villanueva said the trainees graduated with their Narcotics Detection Dogs (NDDs)

The 64 K9 Handler’s Basic Course new graduates and their Narcotics Detection Dogs (NDDs) remain vital in the country’s all-out war against illegal drugs despite the emergence of modern techniques to combat unlawful trade, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Saturday, Oct. 16 graduation rites for K9 Handlers Basic Course 2021-05 Class Magiting.

“The value of highly motivated and well-trained narcotics detection dogs and their handlers cannot be understated. While we continue to apply modern technologies to combat the smuggling of illegal drugs, the portability, adaptability and effectiveness of K9 teams ensures its relevance,” said Villanueva.

Class Magiting and their NDDs underwent an exhausting six-month training program in the 5,000-square meter PDEA K9 Headquarters in Sitio Lambakin, Barangay Sto. Cristo, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

The K9 handler-trainees went through courses in understanding K9 behavior and dogs’ drive development while the NDDs underwent familiarization with narcotic substances targeted for detection, substance printing, indication to improve the dog’s olfactory ability to distinguish scents of illegal drugs and scent discrimination to develop the dog’s capability to differentiate odors of illicit substances.

Villanueva noted that the agency has deployed 116 NDDs and 183 K9 Handlers to complement the country’s other modern illegal drug measures.

“These K9 teams are used in anti-drug operations such as non-intrusive inspection for border security, sweeping searches on baggage, cargo and parcels, event monitoring, and in search and seizure operations in jails and custodial facilities,’’ PDEA said. (Chito A. Chavez)