P10,000 reward for tipsters of dog meat trading

Councilor Celia Flor (3rd from left) with Irene Gamboa (4th from right), vice president of Community Animal Rescue Efforts Inc., and other animal welfare advocates during a meeting at the City Council in Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police Colonel Noel Aliño, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), has offered to give P10,000 to a person who may have information on the reported rampant cases of dog meat trading here.

“I’ll give P10,000 sa bawat information. Pasensya na po kayo, iyan lang po makakayanan ko pero malaking bagay po iyan sa inyo,” Aliño said in a press briefing yesterday.

Aliño said that the cash reward will come from his own pocket, provided that the information will result in a positive operation.

Recently, Irene Gamboa, vice president of Community Animal Rescue Efforts (CARE) Inc., said that Alaga.BCD is working to address the rampant cases of dog meat trading, particularly in the city.

Alaga.BCD is an alliance between private non-government organizations (NGOs) comprised of various animal welfare advocate groups partnering with the local government unit (LGU).

Gamboa said that they have received reports of people going around buying dogs that they bring out of town to be sold as dog meat.

“May batas po na ipinagbabawal iyan. Huhulihin po natin iyan,” Aliño said, as he warned individuals involved in the dog meat trading that they will be held accountable for their offense.

Aliño said that he personally has not known or has not received any report regarding dog meat trading here. But, he encouraged the public to report to the police in case they have information about it.

Last Tuesday, Councilor Celia Flor met with animal welfare advocates in a meeting at the City Council to address concerns brought about by stray cats and dogs around the city.