BATANGAS, Philippines — More than 600 kilograms of dog meat were intercepted by authorities in an operation in the town of Padre Garcia in Batangas last January 4. 

Batangas Deputy Provincial Officer Senior Inspector Renfredo Dacalos of the Criminal Investigation Detection Group said the meat were loaded in a black Ford Ranger while it was traversing Barangay Quilo-Quilo in the said town past 11 p.m.

They conducted the operation after receiving information from Animal Kingdom Foundation Inc. that dogs were being slaughtered in the area. 

The two suspects were identified as Emerson Balingawan, 36 and Glen Batacang, 30, both residents of Baguio City.

Dacalos said the suspects were only transporters who rented the vehicle but the dog trader, who was not named, is still at large.  

Initial information revealed that the trader pays P70 for each dog and sells the meat to restaurants in Baguio for P120 to P150 per kilo. 

Arrested suspects were brought to the CIDG office in Batangas and will be facing criminal charges for violating Republic Act 10536 or the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines.