THE National Meat Inspection Service-Davao Region (NMIS-Davao) confiscated 13 heads of carabao and cattle in a slaughterhouse.
In a press release, NMIS-Davao said they conducted a strike operation at a slaughterhouse in an undisclosed area on November 8.
This resulted in the condemnation of 13 heads of carabao and cattle, which were dead in pens and downers upon antemortem inspection due to severe flooding.
The agency said the flooded animals showed manifestations of bloated stomachs, dilated eyes, blood, and water discharges from mouth and nose, frequent involuntary urination, and downers.
NMIS-Davao said the animals were disposed of by the local government unit. Police assistance was sought and issued a final warning to the violators and slaughterhouse operators.
The agency declined to name the slaughterhouse and its whereabouts as an investigation is ongoing.
The slaughterhouse will be facing charges in violation of Republic Act (RA) 10631 or the Amended RA 8485 - Animal Welfare Act of the Philippines, RA 10536 - Amended RA 9296 (Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines), and RA 7394 - Consumer Act of the Philippines.
It will also face charges of violating the Department of Agriculture (DA) Administrative Order No 15s 2006.
NMIS-Davao Director Lailanie Rico said in an interview with PTV Davao that consumers should observe the meat that they are purchasing.
Rico added that flooded meats quickly spoil.
"Kung flooded ang atoang animals or na-tingal gyud siya, putla ang atoang karne na makuha (If these animals are flooded and sick, expect that the meat looks pale) from these animals ," she said.
"And magtubig-tubig gyud siya... so mao nang usahay kung magluto ta, maobserbahan nato nga lain, duugay na kaayo ta makapakulo and then mutubug dayon siya ang atong mga karne (It would look watery... that's why sometimes when we cook, we can observe that it takes a long time to boil before it would cook)," she added. RGL