Up to 67 kilos of pork and roasted pig (lechon baboy) without the required meat inspection certificate were seized in General Santos City.

The City Veterinary Office confiscated 40 kilos of fresh pork from a meat shop and 27 kilos of lechon baboy from another store during a surprise inspection at different markets in the city. At least 27 lechon stalls and nearly 50 meat shops were inspected.

Authorities said both stores failed to present the necessary meat inspection documents.

The City Vet said the two stores violated the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines.

“First offense is yung sa confiscation, pero kung talagang habitual na talaga, papatawag namin sa admin, pwede nating ipasara ang business nila,” City Vet Meat Inspection Chief, Dr. Bernardo Bulawan, said.

The items seized were buried on November 12, 2025.

City Vet explained that all livestock must pass through the city slaughterhouse before butchering to ensure the meat is free from diseases.

Authorities also noticed a number of online sellers offering meat products, often at lower prices, which they believe may lack proper documents.

“Kung may nag-aalok sa inyo thru online hanapan ninyo ng meat inspection certificate or sa imported products na COMI or Certificate of meat inspection,” Bulawan added.