Twenty-six newly certified Narcotics Detection K9 teams are set to reinforce Iloilo's first line of defense against illegal drugs after completing a six-month specialized training program, strengthening the province's capability to intercept contraband before it reaches local communities.
The graduation ceremony, held at the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) Headquarters in Camp General Martin Teofilo B. Delgado, marked another milestone in the province's intensified anti-illegal drug campaign through the partnership of Iloilo Provincial Government, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The K9 teams underwent 180 days of intensive training that began in January and will next undergo immersion at ports and airports before being deployed to strategic seaports, coastal areas, and other entry and exit points across Iloilo.
Their deployment is in line with Provincial Ordinance No. 2024-314 and Executive Order No. 111 under the provincial government's 4KForMoRProGRes agenda.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias described the graduation as a major enhancement to the province's drug interdiction capability, saying the specialized course directly responds to the evolving challenges of law enforcement.
" 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 stressed that while Iloilo continues to strengthen communities through education, values formation, and youth development to reduce the demand for illegal drugs, authorities must also aggressively cut off supply routes by equipping law enforcers with advanced tools and specialized skills.
“We must aggressively cut off the lifelines of the traffickers. To do that, we must equip our policemen with the necessary tools, the advanced technology, and the specialized training required to intercept illicit substances before they ever reach our neighborhoods,” Banias added.
The deployment complements the national government's border interdiction strategy. Earlier this year, the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency strengthened their partnership to intensify anti-drug operations at the country's ports of entry, emphasizing closer coordination and intelligence-sharing to intercept illegal drugs before they reach communities.
📷Dr. Raul Banias
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