A few hours after Gov. Gwen Garcia signed an executive order that created the “Anti-Smuggling Inter-Agency Task Force” in the Province of Cebu, Dumanjug authorities took swift action and intercepted a motorized banca that docked in Brgy. Kanyuko carrying undocumented hogs.
Dumanjug police intercepted a motorized banca carrying 79 undocumented pigs from Negros Oriental along the shoreline of the said barangay at around 11:30 PM on October 26, 2024.
The operation was done after Dumanjug Municipal Police Station personnel received intelligence regarding incoming boats carrying hogs without proper documentation.
Dumanjug MPS coordinated with nearby municipal forces, the Municipal Livestock Coordinator, and the Philippine Coast Guard, who joined the team in the operation.
Upon arriving at the site, authorities discovered an abandoned motor banca, along with two vehicles—a Masda truck and a Suzuki multicab—loaded with the undocumented pigs. The unmarked banca, as well as the vehicles bearing Cebu-based license plates, were confiscated, and the hogs were taken into custody.
Further investigations are underway to identify those involved in the smuggling operation.
Dumanjug Mayor Efren Guntrano “Gungun” Gica, who has been proactive in tackling the issue, shared that Dumanjug’s swine monitoring task force has been active for over a year.
Despite their efforts, reports from barangay captains indicated that boats allegedly originating from Negros Island continued to dock on Dumanjug’s coastal areas, transporting smuggled pigs into Cebu Province through the municipality.
“I am very disappointed, but this is also a challenge for us,” Mayor Gica told 𝗦𝘂𝗴𝗯𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀.
He added that Governor Gwen’s EO is a welcome reinforcement to their ongoing initiatives against illegal swine smuggling in the town.
On the evening of October 25, Gov. Garcia signed Executive Order Number 16 Series of 2024 creating the “Anti-Smuggling Inter-Agency Task Force” after receiving reports that undocumented hogs enter Cebu through the LGUs facing Negros, including Dumanjug.
Police Region Office 7 chief, Brigadier General Anthony Aberin heads the inter-agency task force, with southwestern Cebu mayors as members.
Aside from taking away the LGUs’ right to collect proper fees, the illegal entrance of hogs could also pose health hazards to the Cebuano consumers, as these hogs would reach the market without prior approvals from regulatory bodies.
The intercepted banca is already with the Philippine Coast Guard while the personnel involved are being investigated by the police. | SN