Twenty-six K9 teams officially graduated from the 180-day Narcotics Detection Dog and Handlers Course during rites held on July 6 at the Heroes Multi-Purpose Hall inside Camp Francisco U. Sumagaysay Sr. in Santa Barbara, Iloilo.

The graduation marked the completion of a six-month specialized training program aimed at boosting the province’s capability to detect and intercept illegal drugs.

The course was conducted from January 15 to July 6 in Barangay Sablogon, Passi City, through the partnership of the Iloilo Provincial Government (IPG) Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The program was initiated by IPPO director Police Colonel Bayani M. Razalan with funding support from the provincial government.

Razalan said the newly trained narcotics detection dogs are expected to significantly strengthen the province’s efforts to prevent the entry of illegal drugs.

“Itong mga narcotics detection dogs natin, makakatulong ito ng malaki in preventing the entry of illegal drugs here in Iloilo Province,” he said.

The provincial director further explained that custodial debriefing reports indicate that the majority of the illegal drug supply comes from the National Capital Region and enters the province through RoRo transport routes.

Representing Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr., Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul N. Banias described the graduation as a major milestone in strengthening the province’s anti-drug operations.

“Today marks a critical milestone in our shared mission to secure the Province of Iloilo. This course is a direct answer to the evolving challenges of law enforcement, providing a massive boost to the capability of our Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) in its drug interdiction efforts,”he said.

Meanwhile, PRO-6 Deputy Regional Director for Operations Col. Arpha Abul Kyr S. Macalangcom Jr., representing Acting Regional Director PBGen Randulf T. Tuaño, reminded the graduates to carry integrity, professionalism, and compassion in every assignment.

“As you return to your respective units, I encourage you to carry not only the skills you have gained, but also the values of integrity, professionalism, and compassion in every mission you undertake,” he said.

The official also emphasized that the achievements marked by successful detections, drug interceptions, and lives protected represent important steps toward strengthening community safety.

Following their graduation, the K9 teams will undergo 15 days to one month of on-the-job training with the PDEA Narcotics Detection Dog Teams before being deployed.

They will later be assigned to airports, seaports, cargo terminals, bus terminals, and other major transportation gateways across Iloilo Province.

The deployment supports the implementation of Provincial Ordinance No. 2024-314 and Executive Order No. 111 under the provincial government’s 4KForMoRProGRes agenda.

Of the 26 trained K9 dogs, 24 will be assigned to the IPPO, while two will serve under the PNP Drug Enforcement Group.Jose Alphonso Ceria, WVSU-COC intern /IMT