MMSU Receives K9 Bomb-Sniffing Dogs as Lead SUC in CHED-Funded Crisis Management Training
By Crisdeniele Clemente
BATAC CITY, Ilocos Norte — The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has further solidified its role as the lead state university in Commission on Higher Education(CHED)’s nationwide Crisis Management Training Program with the arrival of two K9 bomb-sniffing dogs and the soft launching of the Training on K9 Handling and Crisis Management on November 29, 2025 at the FEM Hall.
As part of CHED’s strengthened approach to campus safety, ₱5 million has been allocated for the development of a comprehensive, science-based crisis management framework—a template that may later be adopted by other SUCs across the country, with MMSU as lead institution. Because Region 1 has recorded the most bomb threats nationwide, the initial rollout of the CHED training will focus on public and private HEIs in Region 1.
𝗣𝗡𝗣 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁: 𝗞𝟵 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝗖𝗢𝗟 𝗢𝗯𝗮𝗿
The K9 deployment component is a counterpart support from the Philippine National Police, facilitated by PCOL Frederick E. Obar, former Director of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Police Office and now PNP Liaison Officer for Legislative Agenda.
PCOL Obar arranged for MMSU to receive the two bomb-sniffing dogs and committed PNP support for specialized K9-handling training, which will equip MMSU security personnel with proper procedures for threat validation and emergency response.
To strengthen perimeter control and entry screening, MMSU will also acquire metal detectors.
𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗠𝗦𝗨: 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝗺𝗯 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲
In her message, CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis underscored the urgency of the program, citing CHED’s incident data, Region 1 received the highest number of bomb threats among all regions. MMSU recorded the highest number of bomb threats among all HEIs in the Philippines.
“These numbers highlight why MMSU must take the lead,” she said. “The CHED training we are launching will equip HEIs with standard procedures, coordinated responses, and the professionalism needed to manage bomb scares effectively.”
𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Also present during the launch were officers from the Ilocos Norte Provincial Police Office, led by PCOL Jomar Q. Labiano, and the City of Batac Police Station, led by PLTCOL Jerome B. Wangkey. Their participation underscores the importance of unified action among CHED, HEIs, LGUs, and law-enforcement agencies in safeguarding campuses.
MMSU will likewise undertake joint marksmanship and self-defense training with the police to further enhance campus readiness.
𝗠𝗠𝗦𝗨 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗’𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
Alongside physical-security initiatives, CHED is also launching a national Cybersecurity Training Program, with MMSU designated as the lead HEI for its rollout and content development.
Set to begin next week, the cybersecurity training, conducted in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and PLDT, will focus on cyber-threat detection and prevention, digital infrastructure protection, incident response and reporting, and resilience planning for HEIs.
CHED envisions a dual-layered national security readiness for higher education institutions: one that addresses physical threats (such as bomb scares) and digital threats targeting institutional systems.
𝗔 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗠𝗠𝗦𝗨
MMSU President Dr. Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. thanked CHED, the PNP, DICT, and PLDT for entrusting MMSU with a pivotal role in national campus safety and crisis readiness.
“With the PNP-supported K9 units, the CHED-funded crisis management framework, and the national cybersecurity training entrusted to us by CHED, MMSU stands ready to lead HEIs in ensuring safe, resilient, and future-ready campuses,” he said.
The launching ceremony was witnessed by MMSU administrators, employees, and NSTP students.
Dec, 02, 2025 03:02:pm
Written By:
STRATCOM
