A few more dead pigs found floating in Marikina River

Due to the heavy rains from the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), the current became stronger in Marikina River, bringing with it more dead pigs floating on the waterway on Sunday.

Although not as much as the 30-50 pigs found in recent days, there were still a few dead pigs found floating in the river, according to a report by Bam Alegre on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday.

One pig retrieved was estimated to weigh 60 kilos, while another one, a mother pig, weighed 200 kilos.

The city government of Marikina has a lead on where the pigs may have come from.

Local government officials have passed on the information to the Department of Agriculture.

As soon as the information is confirmed, the Marikina local government unit will file civil and criminal charges for violation of the Clean Water Act and the Sanitation Law.

The Bureau of Animal Industry is suspecting that the pig carcasses dumped in the Marikina River, a Quezon City creek, and an irrigation canal in Malolos, Bulacan may have come from those who concealed the cases of their hogs to the government amid efforts to avert the spread of African swine fever in the country.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Friday appealed to backyard hog raisers not to conceal but rather immediately report suspicious swine deaths to authorities.

While it could not be confirmed yet if the dead pigs taken from the river were positive for African swine fever, the city government has banned fishing and swimming in the waterway.

Meanwhile, authorities are monitoring the water level in Marikina River as the Southwest Monsoon continues to bring moderate to heavy rains.

As of 7 a.m., the water level was at 13.9 meters. 

Alert Level 1 will be raised when the water level reaches 15 meters. This is a signal to residents to prepare for possible evacuation. —KG, GMA News