Cheyenne Suarez

Columnist Ramon Tulfo and Napolcom Commissioner Ralph Calinisan meet with police K9 personnel after donating dog food to bomb-sniffing dog Kobe. Bea Cuadra, ABS-CBN News

Columnist Ramon Tulfo and Napolcom Commissioner Ralph Calinisan meet with police K9 personnel after donating dog food to bomb-sniffing dog Kobe.

Article (news)

Thin police dog in viral post is fine, just going through transition — PNP K9 unit

Bea Cuadra

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Kobe, a police bomb-sniffing dog in a viral social media post is healthy, police officials and his handler said in response to comments that the Belgian Malinois looked emaciated.Explosive Ordnance Disposal K9 Unit officials said Kobe&#x27;s appearance was due to a “transition phase” with a new handler at the Manila Police District after completing six months of training at the Regional EOD K9 Unit. Police Maj. Alejandro Parta, OIC of the Regional Explosive Canine Unit–National Capital Region, said the National Capital Region Police Office provides enough support for police dogs in the region.“Undergoing po siya ng transition with his new handler po and expected po namin dahil under siya ng transition expected ko na magkakaroon ng pagbabago sa pangangatawan niya,” Parta said of Kobe.(He is going through a transition with his new handler and changes in his weight and appearance are expected)Patrolman Victor Paulo Dy Buco, Kobe’s new handler, said the dog is in good condition, is fully vaccinated, and has received a veterinarian-approved assessment. Kobe eats three times a day, Buco said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/25/dog-trainer-saves-40-dogs-in-marikina-floods-1520">Dog trainer saves 40 dogs in Marikina floods</a></div><div> </div><div>NAPOLCOM OFFICIAL CHECKS ON KOBE</div>Commissioner Ralph Calinisan of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) met with members of the EOD K9 Unit on Thursday morning, August 8, at the Napolcom Building in Quezon City to address public concerns. &quot;I was actually with the EOD K9 only last week… yung mga aso naman dun may demonstration na ginawa sakin (They held a demonstartion) and all of the dogs I saw were all fit,” he also said.Calinisan and columnist Ramon Tulfo, who posted the viral photo on social media, donated dog food to the unit and appealed to dog lovers to help support the K9 program.Calinisan also appealed to the public not to judge Kobe&#x27;s handler, who has been criticized online, based on his apperance.Dy Buco said he is a PWD and that his build is not due to being lazy.“May deperensya lang po sa aking katawan… May fracture po ako sa upper body,” he said.(I have a fracture on my upper body)Police Col. Jonathan Abella, deputy director for administration of the Philippine National Police EOD K9 Group, said the PNP has 398 K9 dogs nationwide.Many of these dogs are expected to retire in the next two years, which poses a challenge for the program.He said the PNP is procuring 100 new dogs to address the issue.The EOD K9 Group assured that all dogs under their care are in good condition.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal K9 Unit officials said Kobe's appearance was due to a “transition phase” with a new handler at the Manila Police District after completing six months of training at the Regional EOD K9 Unit.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal K9 Unit officials said Kobe's appearance was due to a “transition phase” with a new handler at the Manila Police District after completing six months of training at the Regional EOD K9 Unit.