K9 dogs helped locate the bodies of two landslide victims in Bukidnon. (FB)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Army K9 units won public admiration for their role in locating the bodies of two landslide victims in Quezon, Bukidnon, after a five-day search.
The bodies of the couple, Ely and Thelma Ubatay, were recovered Thursday by joint search and rescue teams with the help of the dogs named Venom, Paul, and Bella.
On Facebook, the dogs received positive comments for their bravery, with netizens urging their handlers to provide them good care.
Army Capt. Ariel Asentista, civil-military operations officer of the 89th Infantry Battalion, said the K9s were trained by the 403rd Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division and the 1003rd Infantry Brigade of the 10th Infantry Division.
He said the Army's K9 units are primarily deployed for bomb detection but are also trained for search and retrieval operations during calamities. The K9 teams assisted the local disaster risk reduction office in the search that began Oct. 19.
The Ubatays were the only casualties of the landslide that occurred the evening of Oct. 18. The local government said they would be laid to rest Thursday.
The Department of Public Works and Highways said it is assessing the damage to the Davao-Bukidnon highway, a crucial economic link.
DPWH-Region 10 spokesperson Roshelle Novie Cabrido said district engineers are preparing a program of works for the road’s immediate rehabilitation.
"The geotechnical engineering department is currently studying what structure is needed in its rehabilitation, including studying the characteristics of the soil," she said. (PNA)