Canine training to sniff drug chemicals pushed

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu first district Representative Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas Jr. has proposed that canine units should also be trained to sniff drug precursors.

Gullas, deputy majority leader, made the proposal after the House Committee on Transportation has called on key inter-island transportation agencies to strengthen their capacity to detect and monitor the transport of illegal drugs, chemical components and equipment for drug laboratories.

 Gullas said that even if it is legal to transport those chemicals, the necessary surveillance and investigation can be conducted on persons transporting them.

The committee chaired by Catanduanes lone district Representative Cesar Sarmiento made the call during the hearing on the plans and programs for 2016 and 2017 of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) maritime sector and related agencies, such as the Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, and the Office of Transportation Security-Maritime Division.

Sarmiento expressed fears that if the modern shabu laboratory was able to exist in his home province of Catanduanes, there is also a possibility that this might happen in other islands in the country if concerned agencies fail to improve their supervision of ports and guarding of the country's coastal waters.

Coast Guard Commandant Rear Admiral William Melad said they have canine units as their first line of defense. But he admitted the canines' capability is only limited to the detection of shabu, marijuana and explosives, and does not include drug precursors.

As an extra precaution, Melad said he will recommend that their frontline units study the equipment and paraphernalia being used for drug production to effectively detect these materials.

Gullas advised the agencies not to hesitate to ask help from Congress so that, apart from the inclusion of necessary procurement in the budget, the pertinent legislative initiatives can also be done to better equip them in the execution of their tasks.

 Deputy Speaker and Cebu third district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia also narrated a similar incident in Cebu in 2004 wherein around 70 barrels of pseudoephedrine, a decongestant used for colds medicine, were confiscated by the PCG in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The authorities said that the chemical is also a component in the manufacture of shabu. (FREEMAN)