Wednesday, July 29, 2009

8 drug-sniffing dogs declared AWOL

By BEN R. ROSARIO

The Commission on Audit has issued a ‘writ of habeas corpus’ for eight drug-sniffing dogs that have remained unaccounted for by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The 2008 CoA audit report for PDEA indicated that of the 13 members of the PDEA K-9 force, eight have been reported to have gone on “absence without official leave,” prompting state auditors to demand an explanation from the agency’s officials.

Supervising Auditor Divina Cabrera, head of the audit team, said three other dogs trained and donated to the agency are likewise missing.

Cabrera said the PDEA could not present any records as to the whereabouts of the high-priced dogs which have been trained to detect narcotics and other illegal substance.

She said government spent P9.9 million for the 13 dogs which have been helpful in the country’s anti-drug campaign.

Of the eight missing canines, seven, namely, Magic, Caster, Quint, Brando, Jackson, Sear, and Buddy, were Belgian Mallinois. Also missing was a Dutch Shepherd named Carlo.

“Conduct an investigation on the facts and circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the eight K-9 dogs and submit a report to the Commission on the results of the investigation,” CoA told the PDEA.

State auditors said administrative sanctions should be imposed against those liable for the disappearance of the dogs.

“Otherwise, request for relief from accountability for the dropping of the cost in the books of accounts,” they added.

The audit examiners refused to believe the claim of the new caretaker that some of the dogs have already died. Auditors want a solid proof to back up this claim.

The audit report revealed that the dogs were purchased by the now defunct National Drug Law Enforcement and Coordinating Center of the Philippine National Police.

They were later transferred to PDEA when the new Dangerous Drugs Code took effect.

“There are no records of persons directly accountable for the work animals since Logistics Management Service did not maintain records such as memorandum of receipt to pinpoint person accountable,”
the report said.

Meanwhile, CoA also sought an explanation on the whereabouts of three bomb sniffers donated by retired Gen. Edgar Galvante, former executive director of the Dangerous Drugs Board, and Supt. Benjamin Magalong.

“Neither the special enforcement service which received the donation nor the LMS as the custodian of records has record of donation such as deed of donation duly signed by parties,” auditors noted.

source

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency should properly explain this and produce the sniffing dogs.

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