370 kilos of ‘botcha,’ ‘lechon’ seized in Manila, Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — At least 370 kilos of “botcha” or mishandled frozen meat and “lechon” or roast pork were confiscated from ambulant vendors in Manila and Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Personnel from the Veterinary Inspection Board (VIB) and police officers from the Manila Police District confiscated at least 300 kilos of the meat from ambulant vendors at the corner of Ylaya street and C.M. Recto Avenue at around 3 a.m. after receiving a tip.

Dominador Boza was arrested while his two companions escaped. 

The raiding team said a kilo of lechon was sold for P180 as compared to P600 to P700 per kilo in La Loma, Quezon City.

The meat was packed in plastic and sold at a comparatively lower price.

Dr. Nick Santos Jr., VIB special enforcement squad chief, said eating “botcha” or “double dead” meat, which comes from animals that died of disease, could lead to diarrhea, food poisoning or death. 

Meanwhile, city health officials in Quezon City seized around 70 kilos of mishandled frozen meat, worth P14,000, at the Commonwealth Market.

City government veterinarian Ana Marie Cabel said 35 kilos of mishandled meat were seized from vendor Alex Bueno, who could lose his business permit for his latest violation.

“We have been warning him to improve the conditions at his stall. He has not complied,” she said in a phone interview.

Cabel said the meat should have been placed in a freezer to avoid contamination, which could lead to food poisoning.

They submitted a notice to the city legal department seeking the revocation of Bueno’s business permit.

Thirty-five more kilos of mishandled meat were confiscated from other vendors. – Emmanuel Tupas