By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Task Force Botagoy head Rex Juplo, yesterday, said they have confiscated a total P32,020 worth of meat which did not pass through the Bacolod City Slaughterhouse from January to February of this year.
According to Juplo, they had two confiscations between January 8 and January 27 in Barangay Singcang-Airport and Barangay Sum-ag, in which they managed to seize 41.8 kilos and 70 kilograms, respectively.
This was followed by three more confiscations this month, again, in Barangay Singcang-Airport and Barangay Granada, which netted 48.3 kilos of meat.
Overall, Task Force Botagoy confiscated 160.10 kilos of meat in one month.
Juplo explained they conducted the seizure operations due to several complaints from consumers, claiming there was a shortage of supply in pork.
He also said, in the five operations they conducted, they only gave offenders a warning as they are following a “three-strike policy.”
Juplo said, if offenders are caught a third time, they will file criminal charges in violation of City Ordinance 459, or the Illegal Slaughtering Ordinance of Bacolod City.
“The penalty for violating the ordinance is six months to one year imprisonment and a fine of P5,000,” Juplo added.
The Task Force Botagoy head added they have not recorded any instance of “hot meat,” or double-dead pork, being sold at the city’s markets./WDJ