City Veterinary Office Confiscates Lechon Baboy and Buries Them Due to ASF Concerns
Authorities in Cagayan de Oro have confiscated four lechon baboy and buried them due to concerns over African Swine Fever (ASF).
The City Veterinary Office – Cagayan de Oro confiscated and disposed of several illegal lechon baboy during a crackdown on African Swine Fever regulations. The operation was part of ongoing efforts to control ASF by ensuring strict adherence to quarantine protocols.
The confiscated lechon were discovered in Barangay Macabalan. According to City Veterinary Officer Dra. Perla Asis, the pigs were seized because they lacked necessary documentation. Specifically, the hogs did not have the required Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC), Shipping Permit, or Recognition of Active Surveillance (RAS) for ASF, as mandated by DA AO5-2019 and local EO 103-2020.
Despite warnings from the Barangay Biosecurity Officer of Macabalan, the vendor continued to slaughter and roast the hogs. The vendor also failed to present any of the required documents, aside from a barangay certification from Maramag, Bukidnon, and was found operating without a business permit, violating local regulations.
“Upon inspection, the lechonero was unable to present any of the required documents, except for a barangay certification from Maramag, Bukidnon. It was also discovered that he had been operating a lechonan without a business permit, in violation of local ordinances,” the office states.
The confiscated lechon, totaling four heads, were immediately buried in Barangay Pagatpat to prevent any risk of ASF spread. In addition, 11 kilos of lechon baboy were also seized in Buena Oro for being “hot meat,” meaning it was slaughtered in violation of the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 9296).
The City Veterinary Office thanked Barangay Macabalan, led by Hon. Saniel L. Raypon, for their quick action in the matter. All confiscated lechon were bagged, documented at the police station, and disposed of according to sanitary regulations.
In a similar post, a netizen shares pain of parents losing their livestock to asf: “pinaghirapan nila ng ilang taon sa isang iglap lang ay nawala”
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