THE Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) is asking for support from the city government as it plans to institutionalize its K9 platoon to boost security measures in the city borders.

In a letter addressed to the City Mayor, Cocpo chief Senior Superintendent Nelson Aganon, said the plan aims to augment the number of K9 handlers and K9 dogs at border patrol bases as well as to secure public transport terminals, public markets, churches, and other places of convergence in the city.

The planned institutionalization was based on the security assessment of the recent bombing incidents Mindanao and the city's vulnerability to these terror attacks.

City Councilor Romeo Calizo’s committee on police, fire, and public safety was tasked to look into the proposal and see how the city can help this move.

Cocpo spokesperson Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa said the city has four K9 dogs, and some of them are only borrowed from handlers.

“Camp Crame actually has the K9 Division, but the problem is how we can sustain it in the local level. Ang atong budget is para lang sa sweldo sa personnel, and the K9 dogs need maintenance, their food, vitamins, so that's where the city might be of help to this endeavor,” Hortillosa said.

He said K9 dogs are a big help to secure border checkpoints, particularly in checking vehicles, especially since police officers are not allowed to search the whole car.

“Wala mi mag-expect na mahatag pero gipakita lang namo ang kakulangon. Kay sige lang mi daoton, sige lang ingnon to strengthen our security, but we don't have the capacity to really strengthen it, dili pwede taman lang sa storya. Kung mahimo, x-ray machines should also be installed in the borders, but since it's expensive, we shall settle to K9 dogs, which are also good enough,” he added.