• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An estimated 20 kilos of chorizo from Cebu, being sold by an online seller, has been confiscated by personnel of the City Veterinary Office, during a buy bust operation in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.
City Veterinarian Dr. Josue Rabang yesterday said that they set up an entrapment operation in Brgy. Zone 4, Cadiz City, after receiving reports of “Chorizo de Cebu” being sold online.
Rabang said their investigations showed that the processed pork came from Cebu, shipped through Escalante port.
Negros Occidental has banned the entry of live pigs and pork related products from Cebu, where ASF cases were detected.
Rabang said the confiscated processed pork was immediately burned. However, the person who sold the processed food was spared from arrest since there was no penalty for violators stated in the executive order issued by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
He however said there is now an ordinance being crafted to amend the executive order, which will specify penalties for violators.
Rabang said they are now setting up intra provincial border controls to prevent disease-stricken animals from enter slaughterhouses.
He also confirmed deaths of pigs in Cadiz City, due to hog cholera.*
