CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – The Police Regional Office 4-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon area) honored two explosive detection dogs in a retirement ceremony in this camp on Friday, Nov. 4.
PRO 4-A director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. thanked “Sky” and “Gambit” for their invaluable service in the police anti-crime campaign in Calabarzon.
Sky and Gambit were declared retired from law enforcement duties as police service dog effective on Aug. 22, 2022, pursuant to General Guidelines No. 6 of the Philippine National Police Memorandum Circular No. 2017-069.
Sky and Gambit are male Belgian Malinois and were appointed on June 25, 2018, and rendered duties for PRO 4-A Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit.
Sky served for four years, one month, and 28 days and was handled by Staff Sgt. Froilan Castillo.
Gambit, handled by Staff Sgt. Remigio Ubaldo Jr., on the other hand, worked for three years, six months, and two days but passed away because of sickness on Dec. 27, 2021.
Sky was adopted by Castillo.
The retirement honors for these service dogs during the “Salamat Kaibigan Program” coinciding with the Friday flag-lowering ceremony were the first held by the PRO 4-A to honor their invaluable service to the police and the community.
A police dog generally starts working at around one year of age and retires at around 10-years-old. Retirement age vary based on breed and health. Starting age also differs but most police dogs work for about eight to nine years.