MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Philippines (PNA) - The provincial Task Force “Bantay Botcha” has intercepted some 500 kilos of "double dead" pork and chicken meat in the towns of Sta. Maria and Obando.

In a report to Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, provincial veterinarian Dr. Voltaire Basinang said the task force confiscated a 90-kilo double dead hog at a checkpoint in Barangay Sta. Cruz around 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Basinang said the hot meat was found on board a “Tamiya” type Isuzu Elf.

He said the double dead meat, locally known as “botcha”, is believed to have come from a farm in the said town and was butchered either somewhere in Metro Manila or within Sta. Maria. The team also arrested driver Romeo Hirang from Barangay Sta. Maria.

Last Monday night, Basinang said Obando policemen seized 200 heads of double dead chickens weighing 392 kilos in a checkpoint in Poblacion.

The chickens were on board a tricycle driven by Nelson Dela Cruz from Obando when flagged down by the police.

Basinang said Dela Cruz named a certain Virginia Darlucio, a resident of Obando, as the owner of the dead chickens and claimed that he was only hired to transport the animals. The driver also claimed that he was told that the “double dead” chicken would only be brought to a fishpond as food for catfish.

Basinang said the seized hot meat were burned and buried in the respective dump sites of the two towns.

Alvarado recently formed the provincial task force to ensure that no hot meat will be sold in the market. He said the task force are also closely monitoring slaughterhouses and meat stalls in every town and city of Bulacan.