MANILA, Philippines — A total of 400 kilos of “botcha” or “double-dead” chicken meat were seized by the Manila City Veterinary Inspection Board (VIB) in Paco Market. The confiscated meat are valued at P36,000, the VIB said.
Dr. Nick Santos, chief of the VIB’s food hygiene and regulatory division, said on Thursday that the tainted meat were transported from Las Piñas City and were unloaded in Paco Wednesday night.
The meat reportedly came from unaccredited slaughterhouses, meaning no appropriate permits to kill were issued.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso inspects the “botcha” chicken meat seized at the Paco Market. Photo from Manila Public Information Office.
With this, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso warned sellers not to engage in the illegal sale of “double-dead” meat.
Moreno also assured that the local government of Manila will not tolerate the illegal sale of tainted meat as it will protect the health of city residents.
“Itong mga botcha, mga walang permit na pagtitinda ng karne. Dahil gusto natin mapangalagaan ang ating mga mamimili na taga-Lungsod ng Maynila, ang karne na tinitinda sa Maynila ay (dapat) ligtas… safe at inspected,” Moreno said in a video statement.
“Sa mga magkakarne o magtitinda, huwag niyo po subukan na gawin itong mga ilegal na bagay na ito. Sayang naman puhunan, pero mali po ito,” he added. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)