MARITIME authorities intercepted 60 live hogs being transported without the required veterinary documents in the waters off Barangay Nasingin, Getafe, Bohol, on October 29, 2026, as part of intensified efforts to prevent African Swine Fever (ASF) from entering the province.
The motorized banca carrying the hogs was intercepted at approximately 7:00 a.m. during a seaborne patrol conducted by personnel of the Bohol Maritime Police Station assigned to the Buenavista Maritime Mobile Team.
According to the Regional Maritime Unit 7 report, the operator failed to present the necessary transport documents. Initial verification indicated that the hogs originated from La Libertad, Negros Oriental.
The shipment was subsequently turned over to the Philippine Coast Guard and the Getafe Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO)-Getafe and the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian for appropriate action.
The incident was reported as an alleged violation of Bohol Provincial Ordinance No. 2025-034.
This latest interception marks the fifth recorded operation involving undocumented livestock shipments, underscoring the need for sustained maritime surveillance and regular inspections at the province’s ports and entry points.
The Provincial Government of Bohol recognized the vigilance of maritime enforcement personnel and the coordination of the Getafe local government in preventing the entry of potentially disease-carrying livestock.
The operation reinforces the standing directive of Gov. Aris Aumentado to strengthen provincial border security and safeguard the local agriculture sector in line with the Strategic Governance Roadmap.
It also supports Executive Order No. 28, Series of 2026, which implements veterinary quarantine, border surveillance, and biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction of ASF and other animal diseases.
These measures aim to protect Bohol’s livestock industry, ensure food security, and preserve the livelihood of local hog raisers in Bohol, a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Livestock traders, transporters, and buyers are reminded to secure all required veterinary clearances and transport permits before moving animals into the province.
The public is likewise encouraged to report suspected undocumented livestock movements to their respective local agriculture offices or law enforcement authorities. (PIMO/MAPI)
