Baricuatro warns vs hog smuggling

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has warned against the illegal movement of hogs as authorities investigate how African Swine Fever (ASF) reached Ginatilan, where the virus has been confirmed in two barangays.

The warning came Wednesday, Sept. 30, as the provincial government tightened monitoring at Cebu’s borders and ports amid concerns that infected hogs may have entered the province through unauthorized routes.

“Don’t try (to smuggle), kay dakpon gud mo namo diri. Atong PNP is very proactive about this one,” Baricuatro said.

Authorities are still tracing the source of the infection, with possible links to hogs from neighboring Negros Oriental among the leads being examined.

Baricuatro said she discussed the situation with Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria during their recent dialogue. Sagarbarria had asked Cebu to consider testing hogs from his province before they are transported to Cebu.

“We’re still studying it,” Baricuatro said, referring to the request.

She said Sagarbarria also expressed concern over the Ginatilan cases because the town is not directly across from the areas in Negros Oriental where affected hogs were reported.

“That’s why he was wondering why there was a case in Ginatilan which is not directly (across),” Baricuatro said.

The governor said illegal hog movement was one possible explanation being considered, noting that Cebu authorities had already intercepted attempts to bring pigs into the province.

“But as discussed with the mayors, strikto sad kaayo sila karon sa ilang borders sa ports,” she said.

The possible connection between the Ginatilan cases and hogs from Negros Oriental, however, remains unconfirmed.

In an earlier report, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy said the Cebu Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) was conducting disease investigation and back-tracing activities to establish how ASF reached the municipality.

“There are information that surfaced. But I cannot say that this is the real cause,” Vincoy said.

Some of the affected pigs reportedly had contact with pigs from Negros Oriental, while other information indicated that some pigs had been acquired from an event in Tanjay City and others had been brought from the owners’ homes.

The PVO is not discounting other possible routes of transmission as it continues sampling and surveillance in Ginatilan and nearby areas.

Three of five samples initially submitted for laboratory testing tested positive for ASF DNA. The samples were collected from four pigs in Ginatilan and one in neighboring Malabuyoc.

The three positive samples came from pigs in Barangays Cagsing and Calabawan in Ginatilan, while the sample from Malabuyoc tested negative.

The results were confirmed by the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture on Sept. 18, prompting authorities to activate containment measures.

Barangays Cagsing and Calabawan in Ginatilan have since been placed under quarantine, with the movement of hogs, pork and pork by-products from the two barangays prohibited.

The PVO also established six checkpoints and chokepoints in Ginatilan, including along the highway and possible routes through upland areas leading to neighboring municipalities.

Vincoy said the checkpoints are intended to monitor the movement of pigs and pork products and ensure that transported animals have the required documents.

The provincial veterinary office is also coordinating with neighboring local governments, particularly those sharing borders with Ginatilan, for continued surveillance.

Seven additional samples collected from farmers and households in Cagsing and Calabawan tested negative, although the PVO said surveillance would continue because the possibility of infections in other areas has not been ruled out.

Cebu has maintained its prohibition on the entry of live hogs, pork and pork products from ASF-affected areas, including affected areas in the Negros Island Region.

Baricuatro extended the province’s preventive restrictions through Executive Order No. 44, signed on Aug. 20, following the initial 45-day prohibition imposed under an earlier executive order.

The extended ban covers live hogs, fresh, chilled or frozen pork, and processed pork products entering Cebu from areas affected by ASF. The PVO, Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Animal Industry may also restrict other swine-related products considered potential routes of transmission.

Baricuatro said authorities were now looking for ways to manage the situation as the Christmas season approaches, when demand for pork traditionally becomes a concern for consumers and the livestock industry.

“We’re still finding a way kung unsaon ni nato kay hapit na baya ang Christmas season,” she said. — /FPL (FREEMAN)