In Bulacan, employees bid farewell to beloved Capitol dog 鈥楶utol鈥�
BUDDY In this June 2020 photo, a Civil Security Unit member of the Bulacan provincial government admires the medal awarded to his companion, Putol, the leader of the dog squad tasked with guarding the Bulacan Capitol. —Billy Joe Marciano/Contributor
CITY OF MALOLOS, BULACAN, Philippines — For more than 12 years, employees and security personnel of the Bulacan provincial government were greeted each morning by a wagging tail, a warm presence, and an unmistakable charm.
“Putol,” the beloved capitol dog, was more than just a stray who found shelter at the provincial capitol; he was a symbol of loyalty, joy, and quiet companionship.
On Jan. 25, capitol workers bid an emotional farewell to its unofficial protector and morale booster.
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Putol, a large white “aspin” (native dog) with a short tail (from which he earned his name), passed away in the morning of Jan. 24. He was later cremated at Aeternal Paws Pet Cremation and Afterlife Services in Malolos, leaving behind a legacy that transcended his simple, humble beginnings.
Article continues after this advertisementPutol was found lifeless near the Calumpit-bound jeepney stop along the sidewalk of the capitol on MacArthur Highway.
Article continues after this advertisementBilly Joe Marciano, staff of the Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office, said Putol likely died of old age.
While on his routine morning patrol with his squad of four other aspins, Putol collapsed on the sidewalk and was unable to cross the highway.
‘Heartbreak’
Putol and his squad had found voluntary shelter at the capitol since 2013. Marciano, who first saw the then 3-year-old Putol on Aug. 2, 2016, shared the capitol became the dog’s permanent home, where he served not only as a guard but also as a source of comfort and joy to employees and visitors.
Marciano revealed that Putol’s remains were displayed for public viewing on Monday. However, the final resting place for his urn was still being decided—whether it would be placed in the Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center or in the capitol lobby, which served as Putol’s home base.
The day of his passing began with “confusion” and “heartbreak,” said the Civil Security Unit (CSU) personnel, led by Rizalino Andaya, after they noticed that Putol failed to show up for breakfast.
To their shock, they found his body placed in a sack and discarded at the capitol’s garbage hauling area.
His remains were initially buried at the government-run local waste disposal facility in the old Hiyas ng Bulacan Agriculture Center (HACC) in Tabang, Guiguinto.
Distressed by this turn of events, CSU personnel, and Marciano sought to give Putol a proper burial. With the help of General Services Office (GSO) head Caren Espiritu and Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) personnel led by Lito Hipolito, Putol’s body was exhumed and reburied at the PEO Motorpool area near HACC.
Later that day, Angelo Sanchez, manager of Aeternal Paws Pet Afterlife Services, offered to cremate Putol for free. With assistance from the GSO and the PEO, his body was once again exhumed and brought to the pet cremation facility.
Companion
“For us, Putol was not just an ordinary dog. He was a companion to our security guards, a protector against intruders, and a source of strength for our CSU teams. Along with his squad, he brought joy to all of us as a constant morning greeter,” Marciano said on Saturday.
While Putol and his squad did not receive formal security training, their presence at the capitol provided a sense of protection. Andaya noted the dogs would sometimes confront intruders, but they remained friendly toward employees, guests, and even indigents seeking help.
Marciano recalled first encountering Putol in the garden beneath the flagpole in Marcelo and Gregorio del Pilar Park, just outside the capitol.
Over time, Putol started frequenting the capitol lobby, where he was fed by duty guards and employees. He eventually became an unofficial member of the CSU, offering both companionship and protection.
