By JOSEPH PEDRAJAS
Authorities confiscated around 3,700 kilograms of smuggled meat from China during a routine inspection at the Arranque Market in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso bared Monday night that the illegal meat products, which include Peking ducks, were seized by members of the Manila Veterinary Inspection Board (VIB).
“Mga walang papel ito,” he said.
“Ito ang sumisira sa local industry natin. Nag-iimport na, okay sana kung pinayagan ng ahensya ng local government,” he added.
Following the confiscation, Moreno ordered the VIB to bring the seized meats to Manila Zoo to serve as food for the animals.
In July, the local government of Manila started its crackdown on illegal meats and “botcha” in the city markets.
On Nov. 18, around 263 kilograms of pork ribs suspected to be “botcha” (double-dead meat) were seized at the New Antipolo Market on Blumentritt Road, also in Sta. Cruz district.
In August, the VIB also confiscated P20-million worth of illegally imported meat, weighing about 20 tons, from China during a raid on old houses which were used as cold storage rooms in Tondo district.
