400 fighting cocks intercepted at NAIA, breeders protest

Around 400 fighting cocks shipped from the United States were intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) allegedly due to the lack of documents.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Nico Waje, more than 40 breeders were unable to claim their fighting cocks from a cargo and warehousing company at NAIA Terminal 1 after the shipments were held.

“Lahat naman kami pare-parehas ang aming concern, yung madisgrasya ang manok. So dapat i-release nila,” said a breeder.

(All of us have the same concern, that our fighting cocks would be harmed. So, they should be released)

“Papaano pag namatay ang manok namin, saan kami maghahabol?” added another breeder.

(What if they die, where can we run to?)

The shipment’s consignee, Juan Bacar Jr., complained about the apparent harassment by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).  He said BAI even asked the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to inspect the shipment for drugs.

When PDEA found nothing, BAI demanded the original documents of the imported cocks.

“Tinawag sa amin ng nag-aayos sa loob… na ang papers niyo nawala. I called up my shipper and I asked them nasaan yon. Sir, nasa silk envelope. Ang pinakita ko is complete,” said Bacar.

(The people who were processing it inside call us… that our papers went missing. I called up my shipper and I asked them where they were. Sir, it was in a silk envelope. What I gave them was complete)

“[Itong documents] din ang same na sina-submit ko five days prior na lumipad ang manok. Meron na silang document niyan,” he added.

([These documents] are also the same that I submitted 5 days before the flight. They already have these documents)

In addition to asking for original copies of the Import Export Clearance, Veterinary Health Certificate, Blood Test Results, and Certificates of Quarantine, Bacar said that he was also required to provide the address and contact number of the sender—which had never been asked before.

“Kung may new memorandum, you have to post it seven days before you do it. [As of] now, wala,” Bacar said.

(If there’s a new memorandum, you have to post it seven days before you do it. [As of] now, there’s none)

Meanwhile, the BAI refused to comment on allegations of harassment but ensured that the fighting cocks would be released after processing.

“In line with Administrative No. 11-1997, there should be documentation, inspection, and clearance. The cargo clearance processing for agricultural products, in general,” said BAI director Enrico Miguel Capulong. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News