Some 900 kilograms of “dead” milkfish (bangus), which were already dead when harvested and shipped for sale, were intercepted by police authorities at Sitio Calamiong, Barangay Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City.
The milkfish died due to oxygen deprivation, a condition locally known as “tangok”, according to city health officer, Dr. Ophelia Rivera who stressed “The gill of the milkfish is white, which is an evidence of oxygen depletion.”
She added that “The eyes of the milkfish should not be red if it is fresh”, its scales should be intact and its body firm.
As it is unfit for human consumption, eating tangok, according to the health officer, may trigger irritation of the body and even food poisoning.
Suspects caught with the “dead” bangus were fish trader Evelyn Venancio and four other companions, all from Sual town.
They are slapped with charges of violating Article 12, Section 37 of the Food Safety Act of 2013, Sanitation Code, Article 40 of the Consumer Act of the Philippines, and Section 73 of the Fisheries Code of Dagupan City.
Enticed by a big profit, Venancio said she can sell the dead fish at P40 per kg. for an investment of only P25 per kg.
Originating from Sual town where the tangok was harvested, the fish trader said they were on their way to deliver to Villasis when they took a side trip to Dagupan City to meet a buyer who ordered 300 kgs.
The illegal trade was noticed and reported by a concerned citizen which led to the immediate confiscation of the tangok. (Jojo Mangahis)