CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Two trucks loaded with a total of 157 swine that tested positive for African Swine Fever (ASF) were intercepted on Wednesday night in Quezon City. The swine were condemned, delivered, and buried in Bulacan.

Reports submitted by Col. Satur Ediong, acting Bulacan police director, to Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr., Central Luzon regional police director, stated that the ASF-infected swine were intercepted from two swine haulers at the Livestock, Poultry, and Meat Product Inspection Site in Tandang Sora, Quezon City. They were later disposed of at the Provincial Engineering Office of Bulacan compound in Barangay Tabang, Guiguinto, Bulacan.

The first truck flagged down was an Isuzu truck with license plate XGD982, loaded with 115 hogs. It was driven by Vergilio Caile, accompanied by his helper Ronnie Alcantara. The animals were owned by Gerald Erpelo, a resident of Mapandan, Pangasinan.

The second vehicle flagged down was an Isuzu truck with license plate CBP 2071, loaded with 42 swine. It was driven by Allain Jb David, with helper Philip Santos. The hogs were owned by Erwin Santos, a resident of Guagua, Pampanga.

Initial investigations showed that the ASF-infected swine were purchased from Sariaya, Quezon, and were on their way to Bulacan when intercepted and flagged down at the checkpoint, headed by Jhune Linnit Angelical of the Provincial Veterinary Office of Bulacan, together with personnel from Quezon City Police District Station 3.

📷 Suzanne Tucker, Unsplash