Lawmen seize 700 kilos pork in Ilocos Sur

VIGAN CITY — Joint operatives of the police and the quarantine office of Ilocos Sur have confiscated 700 kilograms of pork in an entrapment operation along the national highway in Barangay Catayagan, Sta. Lucia, according to provincial quarantine officer Martel Quitoriano.

There is a ban on the entry of live hogs, pork and by-product to the province of Ilocos Sur to prevent the entry of the African swine fever (ASF) in the province. The temporary ban was issued through an executive order signed by Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson.

Singson said the local quarantine operatives are strictly implementing the checkpoint operations on the entry of all types of meat and processed meat products to the province to ensure that safety of the province from infection of any animal disease.

Quitoriano said the van with the pork meat was pursued by authorities after it evaded the quarantine checkpoint in Tagudin town.

“The van had long been under surveillance after we received a report that it was being used for transporting hot meat to Vigan City,” said Quitoriano.

During the inspection, the lawmen found pork meat in eight plastic drums which came from Bulacan which were being transported without a permit.

Placed under police custody were the occupants of the vehicle who police identified as Neneth Santos, 38, a businesswoman residing in San Ildefonso, Bulacan, and the driver of the van; and passengers –Elizabeth Tomas, 54, a businesswoman residing in Bukidnon; and Mark Jerome Igna, 37, businessman from Bulacan but is presently residing in Vigan City.

The transporters of the hot meat are facing charges for violation of section 4 Provincial Ordinance Number 15-06 Series of 2015.

“As of presstime, the province remains free of African swine fever (ASF) disease or any animal disease,” said Singson.