AKLAN – The Bantay Karne and ASF Task Force here confiscated around 70 kilos of ‘hot meat’ in Barangay Estancia, Kalibo town around 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 11.
Dr. Janna Rose Nepomuceno, municipal veterinarian, said Kalibo is currently on heightened alert due to African swine fever (ASF).
She said hogs must be slaughtered at an abattoir; otherwise, it is considered “hot meat” for not going through proper inspection under the National Meat Inspection Code of 2002, as amended by the local government in 2002.
First-offense violators will be facing a P1,000 penalty, confiscation of the products, and imprisonment for not more than one month.
Nepomuceno asked for the public’s understanding and cooperation especially at border checkpoints.
Meanwhile, the confiscated pork meat was properly disposed of by authorities.
On April 13, Gov. Jose Enrique M. Miraflores confirmed that the province’s first ASF cases were detected in Barangay Arcangel, Balete.
In Western Visayas, only the provinces of Antique and Negros Occidental remain ASF-free. (With a report from Brigada News FM Kalibo)/PN
