‘Presidential dog’ Apollo training to be part of PNoy's security detail

President Benigno Aquino III's five-month-old German Shepherd name Apollo is presently being trained at the president's residence, the Bahay Pangarap, to be part of the president's security detail, GMA 7 news program “24 Oras” reported on Tuesday.



"Ang gusto niya kasi talaga ay maging bomb [sniffing] dog siya para mag-security siya. 'Pag nandun na kami sa Times [Street], pagbaba niya ng pwesto, magiging security niya," explained the president's aid and Apollo's handler PO3 Ronald Vargas.

Apollo was given to the president as a gift and, according to Vargas, the "presidential dog" displayed a lot of intelligence. Despite still being a young pup, Apollo had already mastered simple commands.

Apollo's routine includes a breakfast of dog food mixed with milk and vitamins, morning training, and sometimes, a bath finished off with a dab of dog cologne.

When the president has time, he visits Apollo, and sometimes lets the dog inside Bahay Pangarap.

Aquino shares his love of dogs with his sister, Kris Aquino, whose one-year-old Bichon Frise Prada was chosen for a TV commercial. — Rie Takumi/DVM, GMA News