The Philippine Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao Cagayan de Oro Sub-Station activated its CGK9 Team CDO Kennel stationed at the Port of Cagayan de Oro on Thursday, 16 February 2022. CGDNM Commander CG COMMO GERONIMO B TUVILLA presided the Blessing Ceremony in the presence of the Port Manager of PMO Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro, Isidro V. Butaslac, Jr., Cagayan de Oro City Councilor Jay Roa Pascual, AUX COMMO FERDINAND BERNASOR PCGA of the 1001st Auxiliary Squadron, and invited guests from the port stakeholders, and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The PCG has been a long partner agency of PMO MO/C, especially in terms of port and maritime security. This partnership was further strengthened when both parties entered into a Memorandum of Agreement stating therein the deployment of K9 dogs with handlers to all PPA-owned and controlled port facilities.

With the support of the Port Community and Local Government Unit (LGU), through the leadership of Coast Guard Station Cagayan de Oro CDR Patrick John Cabasag, CGD Cdo Sub-Station has activated the newly completed K9 facility provided by PMO-MOC for the PCG K9 Group that includes K9 kennels and quarters for the K9 handlers. This collaborative effort aims to enhance the implementation of security protocols inside the port and ensure the passengers’ and port users’ safety and security through K9 regular paneling/sweeping operations and immediate response to emergency calls such as suspicious packages and abandoned baggage.

“In the light of the present security challenges, this PPA-PCG partnership will ensure a safer, secure port for our passengers, port stakeholders and the general public”. PPSupt. Bernardo Gartalia said.