More than 40 newly acquired dogs, including five local breeds also known as "Asong Kalye or Askal" recently started their training as part of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) K-9 Unit.

Commander Allen Dalangin, commanding officer of the Coast Guard K-9, said that since gaining overwhelming support from dog lovers and donors since they appeal for more breed dog donations last month, they have collected more than 40 foreign and local breed dogs which will undergo series of training starting this coming September at the PCG K-9 training facilities in Taguig City.

“Since we appeal for dog donations, many dog enthusiasts rushed into our office and training facilities to donate their dogs. Some of them said that they have no time to take care of  their pets so they’ve decided to donate it to us so they can be more useful,” Dalangin said.

The PCG K9-Unit has a total of 114 dogs trained for counter terrorism and anti-illegal drug campaign measures such as bomb and narcotics sniffing.

Dalangin added that some of the donors that they are also looking forward to train the local breed dogs or “askal” since they also see such potential in this type of man’s best friend.

“Actually, meron limang Askal na ihahalo namin sa mga pure breed dogs when the training starts by next month kasi nakikitaan naming din ng potential ‘tong mga ‘to. (Actually we have five Askals which we will mix up with the foreign breed dogs when the training starts by next month because we have also seen potential to those local breed)”, Dalangin added.

According to Dalangin, the training will last for a month and will conclude on the second week of October