23 live pigs intercepted in Argao, Cebu

Live pigs from Sibulan, Negros Oriental were intercepted by the Cebu Task Force on African Swine Fever in Argao town, south Cebu on Thursday afternoon. CEBU ASF TASK FORCE

CEBU CITY –– Twenty-three live pigs were intercepted by the Cebu Task Force on African Swine Fever in Argao town, south Cebu on Thursday afternoon.

Dr. Rose Vincoy said all the pigs were in one truck from Sibulan, Negros Oriental.

Eight of the 23 pigs, she said, do not have Veterinary Health Certificate and Veterinary Shipping Permits.

“If they (eight pigs) are infected, the other pigs would have also been contaminated,” Vincoy said.

The pig shipment arrived at the Bato Port in Samboan, Cebu, late afternoon of February 19. When inspectors were in the middle of a headcount of the animals, the driver and its shipper sped away.

They were, however, intercepted in Argao town.

Vincoy said they were studying the possibility of filing charges against the shipper.

The driver of the truck was not detained and was able to go back to Negros Oriental, although he will be summoned again to face his violations.

Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia created the African swine fever Task Force last year to prevent the entry of pigs from ASF-stricken areas in the country.

The latest restriction is the ban on live hogs from Mindanao.

Edited by Lzb