By U.S. News Agency / Asian

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) considers plan to acquire drug-sniffing dogs for its first defense against drug trafficking.

Maj. Mariano Biteng of the Customs Police District III, said the drug-sniffing dogs are one of the bureau’s priorities right now which was already been discussed during a meeting last week at the Office of the Commissioner.

“The plan to acquire drug-sniffing dogs was triggered by the execution of three Filipinos in China due to drug trafficking,” Biteng said.

He expressed optimism that they will be able to procure at least eight dogs for each terminal at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

On Tuesday afternoon, three drug-sniffing dogs from the ZEMOG K-9 Training Center, operated by a certain Churchill Gomez, displayed their dogs’ ability which sniffed passengers’ luggage that may possibly contain illegal stuff.

The dogs’ prices is minimally tagged at P15-million and above on a training package deal, according to Gomez. The package includes six months dog training at the center, handling, and three months on the job training on its particular site such as NAIA.

However, Biteng said they are still waiting words from the Office of the Commissioner that will decide and provide the procurement.

“Wala pang eksaktong panahon kung kailan kukuha ang BoC ng drug-sniffing dogs. Yung budget kasi ang problema (No definite period on the procurement. Budget seems to be the problem),” Biteng said.