Ipinag-utos ng Department of Transportation (DOTr) sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ang pagpapalawig ng deployment ng K9 units sa lahat ng railway facilities at stations sa Metro Manila.
Ito ay kasunod ng kambal na pagsabog sa Jolo, Sulu kung ilang tao ang nasawi at nasugtan.
Ayon sa PCG, nasa kabuuang 40 K9 units ang itatalaga sa mga istasyon at pasilidad ng Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2), Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) at Philippine National Railways (PNR) para mas istriktong security measures.
Kabilang sa K9 units ang K9 handlers, working dogs, veterinarians, at explosive ordinance disposal specialists.
Suportado rin ito ng operations officers at quick response teams.
Sinabi ni Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade na mahalagang maprotektahan ang mga pasahero laban sa banta ng terorismo.
“It is vital that we protect passengers from the threat of terrorism, even as we try to maintain public transportation operations amid the pandemic. This is where the expertise and training of the PCG K9 units will prove most effective,” pahayag ng kalihim.
Tiniyak naman ni PCG Commandant Admiral George Ursabia Jr. na handa ang kanilang hanay sa pagbibigay ng suporta upang pagtibayan ang seguridad sa rail networks.
“The PCG K9 teams are ready to assist the security forces of these rail lines to deter and/or neutralize threats through higher visibility, enhanced response time, and to make the commuter riding experience more secure. We, however, ask for the public’s cooperation in this endeavor. Rest assured that the Coast Guard will remain selfless and committed in protecting the riding public against the danger of terrorism,” ani Ursabia.