CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – The Police Regional Office-Cordillera has retired four of its dogs which were given honors during the ‘Salamat Kapatid and Kaibigan Program" at the Masigasig Grandstand, Camp Major Bado Dangwa on Thursday, Nov. 17.

Col. Patrick Joseph Allan, PROCOR deputy regional director for administration, led the ceremony wherein he presented Certificates of Recognition and treats to the canine honorees named Nora, Vilma, Jackson, and Joko.

The Philippine National Police in Cordillera used Vilma for eight years and Nora for seven years. Both dogs are Belgian Malinois. They both served as Explosive and Detection Dogs (EDD).

As the highlights of their accomplishments as EDD, Vilma and Nora were part of the PNP contingent during the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines in 2015.

They were also deployed to the different parts of the Cordillera Region to secure special events such as elections, fiestas, and other festivities.

Also, they were both regularly deployed at Harrison Road, Baguio City for the night market.

Jackson, also a Belgian Malinois, served the PNP for six years as a Search and Rescue Dog (SARD).

As the highlight of his accomplishments, Jackson helped in locating the missing Korean National in Mt. Province in 2016.

He also helped in retrieving three casualties in a landslide incident that happened during the onslaught of typhoon Ompong in 2018 and was also dispatched to locate the cadaver of an old woman who was reported missing in Bokod, Benguet in 2018.

Another Belgian Malinois dog, Joko, served the PNP for six years as Narcotic Detection Dog (NDD).

As highlights of his accomplishment, Joko helped in the discovery of a P2.4 million worth of marijuana and the arrest of two individuals in Tublay, Benguet in 2020.

Joko also helped in a sniffing operation in Kibungan, Benguet which led to the discovery of P2.3 million worth of marijuana in 2021. Joko was also dispatched to conduct a sniffing operation in Bakun, Benguet that resulted in the seizure of five marijuana bricks amounting to P500,000.

The four Belgian Malinois police service dogs are now adopted by other PNP personnel and will be set for their new homes after their retirement.

Col. Allan also awarded the Medalya ng Kasanayan (PNP Efficiency Medal) to Pat Rudenson Ayadi, Vilma’s handler; Pat Jeffrey Evasco, Nora’s handler; Cpl Eric Accatan, Jackson’s handler; and SSg Scarlette Heather Hussain, Joko’s handler for guiding and training the four canines.