FOR THE INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE OF THE PUBLIC

The Department of Agriculture in Region (DA) 12 and the South Cotabato Provincial Veterinary Office strongly deny the presence of ASF in South Cotabato contrary to the erroneous report of ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol News Report on January 7, 2021.

In the said news report, the source of information came from Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) Chairman Rosendo So but did not and never mentioned that South Cotabato has ASF or the dreaded disease has entered the said province during his interview.

As of December 21, 2020, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) reported that South Cotabato still remain ASF-free (see PH ASF Diseases Status) as measures are being carefully undertaken to ensure entry of such virus would not happen.

The DA-12 through its Livestock Program and Regulatory Division provided disinfectants, vacutainers, PPEs, and other supplies to partner-LGUs for their ASF prevention and surveillance all over the region.

The DA-12 vehemently denies the spread of false information or fake news on the reported presence of ASF in South Cotabato.

“We appeal to the ABS-CBN Management through its TV Patrol news program to retract or to correct its earlier report,” said DA-12.