PSG hopes 'slight shortage' of K-9s will be addressed

MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Security Group clarified Wednesday that it has 27 bomb detection dogs but admitted that that is still below the minimum number required to protect the president.

 

A recent Commission on Audit report revealed that the PSG only had 20 bomb-sniffing dogs, also referred to as K-9s, as of the end of 2016, less than the 25 needed to secure the chief executive.

 

Eleven dogs have retired and three others were recommended for retirement because of old age and diminished capability, the state audit report said.

 

The state auditor said the retirement of the bomb-sniffing dogs could prevent the PSG from effectively carrying out its duty of protecting the president.

 

Lt. Col. Michael Aquino, PSG spokesman, said his unit has 27 dogs and not 20 as stated by the COA report.

 

He said the president's security personnel are ready to perform their duty even if they do not have the required minimum number of bomb detection dogs.

 

“As of the moment, we have 27 dogs. The ceiling for 27 is 30… We need to fill this up but we still strive to do our job,” Aquino told reporters in a phone patch interview.

 

Aquino said the PSG last acquired sniffer dogs in 2009. He said his unit requested for additional dogs worth P3.5 million last year.

 

“We have to understand that these dogs have specific working years,” he said.  

 

Aquino said a bomb-sniffing canine can work for a maximum of nine years.

 

“The demands of the job require the presence of the dogs… We really have a slight shortage but it does not mean that we are neglecting our jobs. But it would be better if our request gets approved,” the PSG spokesman added.