LINGAYEN–A string of criminal and civil cases have been filed by the provincial government and hog raisers before various courts against Roger Erpelo of Barangay Baloling, Mapandan who was identified as the trader who brought in the hogs affected with the African Swine Fever (ASW) from Bustos, Bulacan last September 9, 2019.

This was revealed by Provincial Legal Officer Geraldine Baniqued, spokesperson of Task Force ASF, who filed the criminal as well as civil cases for the provincial government.

She said the criminal case filed by the province docketed as NTS-IND no. 19z-0047 is entitled “Dr. Jovito Tabarejos and Dr. Ismael Gaviola of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Province of Pangasinan versus Rogert Erpelo” for falsification of public documents.

Other cases include violation of Executive Order No. 80, series of 2019 and E.O. 90, series of 2019 ordering the temporary total ban on the entry of swine into Pangasinan, and violation of a Tax Ordinance enacted way back in 2012.

The cases were all filed before the Regional Trial Court in Dagupan City.

Civil cases were also filed by the Pangasinan Hog Raisers Association headed by Engr. Albert Francis Estolaas versus Erpelo docketed as No. 2019-036D before the RTC in Dagupan City

There are other civil cases were filed by separate high raisers before the RTC branches in Urdandeta City, Rosales, and Tayug, said Baniqued.

Meanwhile, Erpelo has reportedly approached affected hog raisers in Barangay Baloling, Mapandan to make amends offering compensation to dissuade them from filing cases against him.

Asked by The PUNCH if the province will also file criminal and civil cases against the hog trader who brought ASF-infected swine in Barangay Apalen, Bayambang, Baniqued said she will do likewise if the hog trader is finally identified following a proper investigation. (Leonardo Micua)

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