PCG: A total of 79 canine handlers from several government agencies and 79 working dogs graduated from a 10-month training during a joint commencement ceremony of five courses offered by the Coast Guard K9 Group was held today, September 07 at Coast Guard Base Taguig, Taguig City.

Commodore Leopoldo V Laroya PCG, Commander of Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command graced the event as Guest of Honor and Speaker and Commander Shigeru Yoshida of the Japan Coast Guard, a Long-term Expert in Maritime Law Enforcement of Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The following courses were undertaken by the participants: Coast Guard K9 (CGK9) Dog and Handler Basic Course which consists of 31 material dogs, 29 handlers from the PCG and two from the Philippine National Police; CGK9 Explosives Detection Dog and Handler Specialization Course composed of 31 working dogs, 30 handlers from the PCG and one from the Aviation Police; CGK9 Special Training for Explosive Detection Dog Specialization Course consists of 14 working dogs, 12 handlers from the PCG and two from the Department of National Defense Arsenal; CGK9 Special Training for Narcotics Detection Dog Specialization Course composed of a working dog and a PCG handler; and Special Course for Search and Rescue Dog and Handler Course consists of two handlers from the PCG Auxiliary with two working dogs.