Lechon seized even before fully cooked

CEBU, Philippines - A half-cooked roasted pig or "lechon" was confiscated by the Mandaue city's Task Force on Meat Inspection last Friday afternoon after it was found being roasted in an illegal slaughterhouse.

The slaughterhouse was said to be located in the old public market of Barangay Mantuyong, Mandaue City.

During the raid, the workers of Erlinda Frias, the owner of the said roasted pig, was able to slip one lechon just as the task force members were busy confiscating the half-cooked roasted pig.

During the raid the city veterinarian Daisy Penetrante  said she already gave Frias a stern warning  and if she will be caught once again, a task force will be compelled to file a criminal case against her.

If convicted, she may serve an imprisonment of at least six years up to 12 years or a fine P100,000  up to P1 million or both fine or imprisonment.

Among the violations committed by Frias were operating an illegal slaughterhouse (not accredited by the National Meat Inspection Commission) as provided under Section 48 of the City Ordinance No. 658 otherwise known as the Revised Market Code of 2001.

NMIC Administrative Order No. 9 provides that slaughtered animals be subjected to ante and post mortem examination and failure to present meat inspection certificate.

The task force turned over the roasted pig to the City Social Welfare Services after meat inspector Nestor Perez inspected the pig which was later cooked for the women and children who are seeking shelter inside their center.  (FREEMAN)