Angeles city: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed six K9 rescue teams to the site of the under-construction building that collapsed in Angeles City, Pampanga, over the weekend. In a statement on Monday, PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said the K9 teams will support the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) operations for victims who are possibly trapped under the rubble.

According to Philippines News Agency, the teams are composed of six PCG working dogs and 12 SAR personnel who began their search at the incident site around 7:45 p.m. on Sunday. Three dogs-Summit, Theo, and Travis-showed positive indication at the site's sector one. "Engineering and joint SAR teams proceeded to the identified area to conduct debris extraction operations, which resulted in the retrieval of one cadaver at around 3:40 a.m. today (Monday)," Cayabyab said.

She noted that these working dogs previously showed "effective operational performance" during SAR operations at the Iruhin West landslide incident in Tagaytay City last year. "PCG remains fully committed to supporting inter-agency humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations to ensure the safety and welfare of affected families," she said.

Cayabyab highlighted the PCG's Intensified Community Assistance, Awareness, Response, and Enforcement (iCARE) program campaign that supports such operations. "The PCG strives to deliver public service fast and right wherever needed, in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr's vision of a Bagong Pilipinas," she said.

On Monday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. activated the agency's SAR and emergency personnel to support ongoing operations in Angeles City. As of Monday noon, authorities have recorded 26 individuals successfully rescued, four confirmed fatalities, and 17 individuals still missing.