PCG K9 units will be deployed at Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations to enhance commuter safety and reduce waiting times at X-ray scanners.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced the initiative as part of efforts to ensure public security in high-traffic transport hubs.
PCG Public Affairs Office Chief Commodore Algier Ricafrente assured that the agency has enough trained canines to meet deployment requirements.
Currently, the PCG has 600 trained K9 units across the country.
According to Ricafrente, the PCG operates a dog breeding program and in-house training system to support growing demands for canine support services.
He added that the agency would not volunteer for the deployment if it could not meet the operational needs of MRT and LRT stations.
Under the initial plan, both bomb-sniffing and drug-sniffing dogs will be assigned to the said train stations.