January 20, 2026

Authorities in Philippines arrest individuals for smuggling hogs from Quezon to Santa Cruz, Marinduque

The Philippines has intensified its enforcement efforts against illegal livestock trading as personnel of the Santa Cruz Municipal Police Station (MPS), in coordination with local agricultural authorities, arrested four individuals for illegally transporting hogs from the province of Quezon to Santa Cruz, Marinduque on January 7.

Police Captain Jayson Quindoza said the suspects were apprehended at around 2:30 p.m. in Sitio Duongan, Barangay Masaguisi, after authorities intercepted the transport of five hogs without the required clearances from the Provincial Veterinary Office and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), in violation of existing animal welfare and biosecurity regulations.

"The arrest forms part of the government's sustained campaign to prevent the spread of animal diseases and to strictly enforce laws governing the movement of livestock," Quindoza said.

Investigation revealed that two of the suspects are hog dealers from Barangay Ajos, Catanauan, Quezon, while the other two are residents of Barangay Masaguisi, Santa Cruz.

Upon inspection by the Provincial Veterinary Office, two of the confiscated hogs tested positive for African swine fever (ASF). The examination was conducted by Agricultural Technician Glen Deligero, Officer-in-Charge of the Breeding Station and Provincial Veterinary Office, together with Vicente Zulueta, representative of the Municipal Agriculture Office.

In line with national biosecurity protocols, government authorities immediately implemented containment measures. The ASF-positive hogs were properly disposed of through controlled burial to prevent further transmission and protect the local livestock industry.

The confiscated hogs were estimated to be worth approximately ₱120,000 (US$2,019.12).

- Philippine Information Agency