Bohol pork ban: Village chief faces raps

MANILA, Philippines — A complaint was filed on Friday against a barangay captain and his wife in Tubigon, Bohol for bringing pork products from Cebu.

Provincial legal officer Handel Lagunay and provincial veterinarian Stella Marie Lapiz filed the complaint against Epifanio Balbin of Barangay Centro and his wife Sol before the Municipal Circuit Trial Court.

Provincial quarantine officer Maria Abisado said two boxes of pork products were confiscated from the couple.

The two reportedly brought chorizo, pork blood, pork chop and pork mascara from Mandaue City to Tubigon port on board M/V Lite Ferry 23 on June 13.

Balbin reportedly refused to sign a notice of violation and pay a fine of P1,000.

Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado ordered a ban on the entry of hogs and pork products from Cebu in March after the province reported its first case of African swine fever (ASF) in Carcar City.

Bohol logged its first case of ASF in Barangay San Vicente in Pilar town last week.