The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has deployed trained dogs or K-9 units in its operating prisons and penal farms (OPPFs) to enhance detection of prohibited items, like illegal drugs, inside the detention centers. 

“Under the administration of Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr., stringent security measures and procedures are being implemented in accordance with the bureau's mandate of safekeeping insular prisoners,” BuCor said in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 27.

“One of the major security advancements of the BuCor is the deployment of K-9 units to all its prison facilities to deter and eliminate the smuggling of contrabands including illegal drugs,” it pointed out.

It said that the K-9 units have been trained as narcotics detection dogs (NDD) to detect illicit substances and narcotics odors, as explosive detection dogs (EDD) to detect variety of explosive materials ranging from the common to complex chemicals and as patrol dogs to assist in the conduct of security inspection.

It also said that the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) in Panabo City has received 25 K-9 units last March 6 and 19, together with 10 trained corrections officers as handlers.

Ten handlers and 25 k-9 units were also sent to the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) in Occidental Mindoro last March 4 and 9, while 15 trained dogs were sent to the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) in Puerto Princesa City last March 9, it added.