HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND
Dog
Meat Trade in the Philippines: How Did It Start?
The
dog meat trade in the Philippines evolved into a commercial
venture in the past 20 years. By commercial venture we mean, dog
meat is openly sold at various public wet markets; dog meat is in
the menus of various eateries and restaurants; and live dogs are
openly butchered in slaughterhouses (albeit, illegally operating).
Before
its commercialization, the natives of Baguio City, and the rest of
the Cordilleras (the various Igorot tribes), have been eating dog
meat. This practice has a spiritual significance. In their belief,
when bad luck strikes in the family, or in the clan, the family
dog should be sacrificed, and the family members should partake of
the dog meat. The significance of the practice is that the spirit
of the sacrificed family dog, being their guard dog, will also
guard and protect the souls and spirits of the living members of
the family. The family dog should also be sacrificed when a member
of the family witnesses a murder or an accident. The practice,
called “Begnas” by some of the Cordillera tribes, is
now seldom being done.
With
the passing of time, when more and more members of the family or
the clan are faced with more bad luck and accidents, and the
family did not have enough family dogs to be sacrificed, some
people resorted to buying their neighbor’s dogs, thus the start
of the commercialization.
Others
claim that dog meat eating has become a culture among Igorot
tribes (although the Ilocanos from the Ilocos provinces also eat
dog meat). However, a lot of Igorots refuse to accept this, as a
lot of them also do not eat dog meat, and are themselves dog
lovers.
Dog
meat eating has just become so popular starting in the 80’s
(especially among the drinking crowd) when restaurants serving dog
meat dishes started to sprout in Baguio City.
Despite
the passing of Republic Act 8485 (otherwise known as the Animal
Welfare Act) in 1998, making the dog meat trade illegal, the
dog traders still continued with their trade. The dog
slaughterhouses, the restaurants serving dog meat, still continue
to operate, and dog meat are still sold in public markets.
A
Result of a Cycle of Problems
Several
factors contributed to the growth of the illegal dog meat trade in
the Philippines. One is the economic slump in the Philippines and
in the Asian Region in general. Another is the increased demand
for dog meat. Still another is the low cost of dog meat.
In the
Philippines, almost every family has a dog or two as guards and
pets. Raising dogs is not actually burdensome to a Filipino family
as the dogs subsist on the family’s table scraps. Dogs easily
reproduce, so that stray dogs are in abundance in the country.
The
dog population continues to grow. Spaying/neutering is still not a
common practice in the country. Dog owners in the lower economic
strata cannot afford to go to a veterinarian for spaying and
neutering. Thus the concerned government offices just have to
continue with their daily catching of stray dogs, and placing them
in crowded dog pounds.
At
this point, it is unrealistic to expect the Philippine government
to be able to do something to improve the conditions of the
country’s dog pounds. Dog adoption (for stray dogs) is not
common in the Philippines, as most often, those who may want to
raise dogs prefer to get a puppy, than an adult one, more so a
stray.
The
demand for dog meat in the open market continues to grow. One
reason for the high demand is the low selling price. Compared to
pork or beef which is being sold at (Php105.00 to Php150.00
(US$2.1 to US$3.001) per kilogram respectively. Dog meat can be
bought for as low as Php65.00 (US$1.30) per kilogram. Restaurants
and eateries serving dog meat also offer dog meat dishes (as their
specialty dish!) for a lower price compared to other dishes. An
observation is that those who frequent the restaurants and
eateries serving dog meat are the drinking crowd. Dog meat is
being served as pulutan (appetizers) and served with beer
or hard drinks. For a frequent drinker, they can save by having a
dog meat dish.
And
why is dog meat priced low? It is because the traders have minimal
capital for live dogs, and because of the ready supply. Dogs being
sold at Baguio City and Cordilleras (where the market is) come
from as far as the Southern Tagalog provinces, Visayas and
Mindanao.
The
traders do not even have to raise the dogs themselves, as all they
have to do is hire individuals who will catch stray dogs at night,
keep them in cages, and transport them to where the market is. It
is much easier and profitable for them to catch stray dogs than to
enter into an economic enterprise of raising hogs, chickens etc…
Simply
put, it is a matter of economics vis-ŕ-vis an evolved supply and
demand situation brought about by low supply cost.
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Facts
and Figures
Fact
No. 1 – Dog meat is openly traded in Baguio City and
the Cordilleras in the Philippines. Around a hundred eateries and
restaurants in the area are openly serving dog meat to their
customers.
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Extent
of the Trade
A
Multimillion Dollar Business
It is
estimated that around 290,000 dogs are being killed for food in
the Philippines every year. This is translated to approximately
174 Million Pesos (or US$3.8M) a year worth of livelihood and
industry for those involved in the dog meat trade.
Already
on its third decade, and with the support and patronage of local
officials, this illegal trade cannot be stopped overnight.
With
the passing of the Animal
Welfare Act in 1998, there is now a law in which to base the
prosecution of those who maltreat animals (for our purpose, dogs).
Section 6 of the law, prohibits killing of dogs, except on 7
grounds, among them for religious purposes.
Implementing
the law is also easier said than done. It is a fact that there are
many laws in the Philippines that are being taken for granted or
are not being implemented at all. The Animal Welfare Act, which is
relatively new in the country, is one of them.
In
Baguio City and La Trinidad (Benguet) alone, there are around 60
restaurants, eateries and canteens serving dog meat. These are
located all over the city including the central business district,
and are being patronized by no less than the local politicians,
heads of government offices, policemen, and even professionals.
In the
Baguio City public market, 3 stalls in the meat section were found
to be selling dog meat. While three vendors were arrested on June
23, 2003 through the initiative of a lady expatriate, Blythe Reed,
the selling still continues and the arrest did not have a
deterrent effect at all.
In La
Trinidad, uncooked dog meat is also being sold in a meat store
just below the Provincial Capitol. This is aside from several food
outlets (eateries) serving dog meat dishes.
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Government
Efforts
Police
and Law Enforcement
Compared
to other laws (like the anti-gambling law, the anti-piracy law,
etc.) the law enforcers do not conduct specific operations for the
implementation of the Animal Welfare Act.
Since
the passage of the law in 1998, most of the raid and apprehensions
were initiated by NGOs (non-government organizations). The
Regional Traffic Management Office (RTMO)–Cordillera (formerly
known as the Traffic Management Group), which is a branch of the
Philippine National Police (PNP) in a few instances, while in the
performance of their routine vehicular checks encountered dog
traders in their attempt to transport dogs to Baguio City and
Benguet province. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG),
another branch of the PNP, has been tapped by a non-profit group,
the Political Animal Lobby (PAL) to implement the law. There were
also a few instances when the CIDG in Camp Crame (PNP
Headquarters), by chance, had encountered and apprehended dog
traders en route to Baguio City and Benguet. Furthermore, the
Special Operations Group - Jericho, of the Department of Interior
and Local Government (DILG), whose main function is to enforce the
anti-illegal gambling law, has also been tapped by another
non-profit group, the International Wildlife Coalition (IWC)- UK,
which later on formed a local group with the name Animal Kingdom
Foundation to perform the same function.
Linis
Gobyerno, on the other hand, in their independent drive against
the dog meat trade preferred to coordinate with the National
Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which is under the Department of
Justice (DOJ).
The
experience of an expatriate with the Baguio City Police Office of
the PNP, is very disheartening. Ms. Blythe Reed*, on May 2003 had
seen for herself the blatant selling of dog meat at the city’s
public market. Right then and there she proceeded to the Baguio
City Police Office, which is located within the vicinity. While
reporting the incident, a policeman told her that Baguio City is
exempt from the Animal Welfare Act. But when Ms. Reed asked the
police to show her where in the law does it say that Baguio City
is exempt, the police said that he has not read the Animal Welfare
Act yet. She related that the policemen were taking the issue as a
laughing matter. By June, Ms. Reed went back to the police, armed
with a copy of the Animal Welfare Act which she has downloaded
from the internet, and demanded for the arrest of the people
selling dog meat at the public market. Despite the arrest, as of
August, 2003, the dog meat selling in the public market still
continues.
Another
disheartening fact is that the location of the illegal dog
slaughterhouses, the selling in the public market, and the
presence of restaurants serving dog meat is an open knowledge in
Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet. As a matter of fact, one
identified dog slaughterhouse located at Camp 6, Tuba, Benguet, is
very near a police outpost. There were information that the said
slaughterhouse is actually owned by a Police Colonel. The members
of the police force are among those who patronize the joints
serving dog meat.
Now in
its 6th year, there is no serious implementation of the law.
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Prosecution
From
1998, the records of the Prosecutor's Office of Baguio and Benguet
reveal a total of 19 cases of violation of the Animal Welfare Act
in Baguio City and Benguet Province, 5 of which were filed before
the Baguio City Municipal Trial Courts (MTC), 8 cases before the
La Trinidad Municipal Trial Court (MTC), and 6 were filed before
the Sablan-Tuba Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC). The cases
involved a total of 37 respondents, some of them, 7 are repeat
offenders. On the other hand, of the 19 cases, 3 were dismissed;
the respondents in 12 of cases entered a plea of guilty upon
arraignment (thus were convicted); while the rest of the cases are
still undergoing court trial as of August 15, 2003.
The
cases stemmed either as a result of a raid, or the respondents
were apprehended by chance while in the act of transporting dogs.
Of all the cases, only 2 have private individuals as complainants.
The first one was the one filed by Linis Gobyerno members, headed
by its Executive Director, Freddie J. Farres; and the other was
the one personally filed by Ms. Blythe Reed. Both cases are being
heard before the Baguio City MTCs.
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Deterrent
Effect
Despite
all the arrests, and raids conducted, the dog traders did not
budge. It appears that these police operations seem to have little
deterrent effect. As a matter of fact, the arrest and
apprehensions, can become a source of corruption among the police
and the judiciary.
Further,
the dog traders would rather enter a plea of guilty. Doing so,
they will just be meted a fine (minimum penalty), which would cost
less than hiring a lawyer to defend their case.
And
while some were already convicted or have cases on going, the
traders are back to their usual business. The Comiles Restaurant
(which operates a chain of dog serving restaurants), for example,
was not affected at all by the on-going case they are facing).
The
slaughterhouses, on the other hand, who are more careful now, are
still operating, violating several other laws, other than the
Animal Welfare Act.
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The
Role of Local Government
The
Local Government (from the barangay up to the municipal, city, and
provincial level) has a big role in the proper implementation of
the Animal Welfare Act. This is contrary to the common notion that
law enforcement is left in the hands of the police.
On
July 14, 2000, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
under then Secretary Alfredo Lim, issued Memorandum Circular
2000-91 directing all Local Chief Executives “to undertake
concrete steps to help promote and support animal welfare in their
jurisdictions”.
Despite
the law and the DILG’s directive, Baguio and the rest of the
Cordillera region are yet to craft their local version of the
Animal Welfare Act.
Baguio
City, as far back as 1934 has already come up with an Ordinance
(Ordinance numbered 500-34) in relation to animals (some
provisions of which are the prohibition of animals in public
places, the establishment of animal pound, and penalties). There
are provisions, however, in this ordinance which are no longer
applicable, (as a matter of fact, most of it are not being
implemented) thus, in 2000, the Baguio City Council amended the
said ordinance particularly that which concerns dogs. This led to
the creation of Ordinance Numbered 025 series of 2000.
While
this Ordinance can be said to be good enough, it did not take into
consideration the newly passed law in 1998, the Animal Welfare
Act. It does not prohibit cruelty, and dog meat eating. As a
matter of fact, the said Ordinance allows euthanasia, whereas the
Animal Welfare Act did not specify whether euthanasia is allowed.
It only mentioned of “the most scientific method” of killing
animals, which is “to be determined by the Commission on Animal
Welfare”. As of 2002, the Department of Agriculture, which is
supposed to head the Committee on Animal Welfare said that it has
not determined yet what that “most scientific method” is.
This
City Ordinance also transferred the operation of the Dog Pound,
from the police to the City Veterinarian. The Ordinance required
for the dog owners to register and tag their dogs. However, only
the portions which provide for the catching of stray dogs,
collection of impounding fees and allowing the sale of dogs thru
public auction, are the ones being implemented.
In
1991, the City Council, through the motion of then Councilor
Mauricio Domogan (now Congressman), in a way legalized the selling
of dog meat in the city. This is through the Ordinance Numbered 69
series of 1991 entitled “An ordinance amending Ordinance No. 104
series of 1949, regulating the business of dealing in dogs and the
sale of meat thereof in the City of Baguio”. This Ordinance, is
still not amended or repealed. Although there is no designated
area for the selling of dog meat in the City Market, 3 or 4 stalls
in the meat section are openly selling dog meat, with valid
business permits at that.
The
local government of the province of Benguet is slowly coming up
with their own version of the law.
In May
3, 2003, the Municipality of Tuba came up with their Municipal
Ordinance No. 08 series of 2003 requiring all dog owners to have
their dogs vaccinated. As Tuba is the first municipality of
Benguet in which dog traders will have to pass through in going to
Baguio City and Benguet’s capital town, La Trinidad, the same
ordinance requires that dogs and animals being transported or
shipped thru any point of their municipality should be in cages
with ample ventilation and space.
In
Barangay Pico of La Trinidad, Benguet, on July 12, 2003, they came
up with Barangay Ordinance Numbered 05 series of 2003, also
requiring all dog owners to have their dogs vaccinated. It also
requires proper dog management and humane treatment of dogs as
provided for in the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.
In all
the existing local laws, they do not specifically prohibit dog
eating.
And
while the DILG specifically mandates the local government to
apprehend and prosecute those engaged in the illegal trading of
animals (dogs included), we have not heard of local government
efforts to implement this directive. Worse, the local government
leaders are themselves patronizing the joints (restaurants)
serving dog meat, and even give them business permits.
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The
Role of Non-Government Organizations
In the
Philippine setting, the non-government organizations (NGOs) have a
very important role to play.
It is
a fact that corruption is embedded in the Philippine government
system.
It is
also a fact that the government is cash-strapped so that the
private sector (the non-profit organizations) have to fill in the
gap. The NGOs then are left to do the functions that the
government cannot accomplish.
One is
the implementation of the Animal Welfare Act. While the government
has all the resources for it- politics, corruption, and lack of
interest hamper the full implementation of the law. NGOs help and
pressure the concerned government agencies to do their job.
In
relation to the Animal Welfare Act, 4 groups are known to be
operating for its implementation. The first one to come in is a
foreign group, the Political Animal Lobby (PAL). This was followed
by the International Wildlife Coalition of the United Kingdom (IWC-UK).
Then the local group (Baguio City based) Linis Gobyerno, Inc. came
in; which was followed by another local group (Manila based),
Animal Kingdom Foundation, which is an off-shoot of the IWC-UK.
Political
Animal Lobby (PAL)
The
Philippine representative of PAL, (a UK based organization) claim
to be operating in the country even before the passage of the
Animal Welfare Act. However, records obtained indicate that the
group started helping in the implementation of the Animal Welfare
Act on September of 2000, three years after the creation of the
law.
While
there were arrests done by local police on traders transporting
dogs, PAL started the raid on slaughterhouses. However, their
first job was highly criticized because they (together with tapped
law enforcers) allegedly did not observe the rules during the
raid. It was alleged that they swooped into the known dog
slaughterhouse, armed with cameras and media in tow, and without a
search warrant or warrant of arrest, arrested a person who was not
caught in the act of slaughtering a dog. They even implicated a
person who was not at the place at that time. This was the first
case filed before the La Trinidad MTC. It was dismissed. Locals
perceived PAL’s actuation as a move “for show”.
The
group became active again in the year 2002. This time, they were
more cautious and careful.
However,
it was observed that they are just concerned with highly
publicized arrests. The group, after the arrest, turned over the
dogs to the already crowded Baguio City Dog Pound, and their job
ended there. They are not involved in the prosecution, they do not
exert effort to see through the welfare of the recovered dogs.
In an
interview with the Baguio City Veterinarian Brigit Piok, who
manages the dog pound, said that PAL, every time they turn over
dogs, make it a point to donate soap, disinfectants, rice and
sardines. She however cannot quantify the donations. This makes
the locals wonder why PAL gives rice and sardines, and not dog
food and some vitamins and medicines for the sick dogs. Are the
donations meant for the dog pound staff and not for the dogs? Why
give sardines to the sick dogs? This may just worsen their already
failing health.
While
the City Veterinarian also claims that PAL helped fix some cages
in the dog pound, again, she cannot quantify the “help”
extended.
Further,
PAL or any of its representatives never came forward to be the
complainants in the cases filed against the dog traders they have
apprehended. Simply put, they left the law enforcers in the cold,
that is, after they got what they wanted – photos and video
footages of the grim situation of dogs at the time of the arrest.
It is
also a wonder why PAL, a well-funded group did not care to put up
a dog shelter for the recovered dogs.
Still,
it is also a wonder why PAL, a known lobbyist, does not push for
the amendment of the law for stiffer penalties, and push for the
immediate creation of the Committee on Animal Welfare as provided
for in the law. Surely, these are easy stuff for them. But why are
they not doing it? Are they really serious in putting a stop to
the trade? Or are they just using the Philippine situation for
their “campaign” in the US and Europe?
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International
Wildlife Coalition (IWC) of the United Kingdom
This
is the second foreign group that tried to make use of the
Philippine situation to solicit funds.
It is
this group, headed by Charles Wartenberg, which initially hired
The Junction newspaper and Linis Gobyerno to conduct a research on
the dog meat trade situation.
At
first, we thought Mr. Wartenberg was for real. However, his real
color surfaced when he unceremoniously started killing the
recovered dogs, disregarding existing Philippine laws and rules.
This
group did not gain ground, as The Junction and Linis Gobyerno did
not hesitate to file a case
against Wartenberg and his cohorts for the violation of the
same law which they claim to be implementing.
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Animal
Kingdom Foundation
This
is an off-shoot of the IWC-UK. It claims that it is a local group,
(being locally organized). However, it is formed by the very same
group composed of the IWC-UK in the Philippines. Mr. Wartenberg is
part of them, and allegedly still the one calling the shots.
The
system being used by this group is very similar to that of IWC-UK.
Though they do not kill the dogs, they do not turn them over to
the nearest dog pound either. Also, evidences are not turned over
to the local courts and authorities. A bit high handed at that.
And
like PAL, they are not actively involved in the prosecution. And
again like PAL, leave everything to the government after they get
photos of the grim plight of dogs in the country.
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Linis
Gobyerno
Linis
Gobyerno started with this advocacy when the group was hired by
IWC-UK. It was then that our eyes were opened to situation and the
sickening truth.
And
while the above mentioned groups are active in the raids and
arrests, Linis Gobyerno took the other route. While arrests may
have a big impact to donors with a heart for dogs, Linis Gobyerno
decided to take things in stride, to comprehensively approach the
problem, and immersed themselves in the community where the
problem is at its worst.
Linis
Gobeyrno decided to embark on proper research documentation,
information dissemination, lobbying, and practically filling in
the gap left by the government and the other groups. Linis
Gobyerno decided to start on a dog shelter, actively monitor the
cases filed, and exert some pressure on the judges and government
prosecutors and the local officials to do their job.
Arresting
the offenders is among the easiest thing to do, and the most
dramatic one at that. Yet, what comes after is the bigger problem.
What do you do with the dogs? How do you make sure they won’t
end up back to the slaughterhouses?
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