(BOTCHA. Double-dead meat found inside raided slaughterhouse. Contributed Photo)
ANGELES CITY – Some 1.5 tons of “double dead” pork and 12 pigs, including eight feared to have been infected with the African swine flu (ASF), prompted Mayor Carmelo Lazatin to padlock an illegal slaughterhouse on Delos Santos St., Barangay Lourdes North West here.
“An estimated 1.5 tons of “double dead” meat and 12 pigs were confiscated during an inspection conducted at Chotchot Meat Dealer Wholesaler and Retailer,” Lazatin reported, even as he ordered the filing of appropriate criminal charges against the owner and operator of the slaughterhouse.
City hall said its experts found some of the pigs “with a virus” without being specific, but sources said the hogs were found with ASF.
He said the facility “violated City Ordinance 431; Republic Act 9003, or Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000; and Republic Acts 9296 and 10536, also known as The Meat Inspection Code of Philippines.”
The City Meat Inspection Division personnel reported to Lazatin that eight of the 12 pigs were already virus-contaminated, and that four of them were already dead.
“To prevent the spread of the unconfirmed virus, the pigs were terminated and buried at the material recovery facility in Barangay Pampang,” Lazatin said.
Three workers of the illegal meat shop were detained at Angeles City Police Office – Station 2. They were identifi ed as Joan Nersy Balboa, Aries Vergara Velasco, and Justine Sicat Oyco. The slaughterhouse owner, identified as Melchor De Guzman, remained at large.
Lazatin said “continuous inspection of meat shops will be conducted for safety measures of his constituents.”
The mayor inspected yesterday slaughterhouses, market areas, and meat shops together with personnel from Angeles City Police Office, City Veterinary Office, Barangay LNW Council, Angeles City Traffic Development Office, and City Environment and Natural Resources.
