ILOILO CITY – Suspected cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) emerged in Hamtic, Antique province after a number of pigs died in eight barangays in the municipality. A CHECKPOINT against African Swine Fever (ASF) is conducted on the border of Antique province. The town of Hamtic has banned transportation and trading of hogs and pork products after reported suspected cases of ASF.  (Antique Provincial Veterinary Office) These hog died in Barangays Calala, Caridad, EBJ (Lanag), Funda, Guintas, Poblacion II, Poblacion III, and Pu-ao. While no tests have been conducted to determine the disease, Mayor Julius Pacificador has issued an executive order banning the transport, slaughter, and selling of pork meat and pork products in the town. Due to the deaths, the local government of Hamtic is implementing a 14-day quarantine to investigate possible causes of death and to minimize the spread of the disease. After the quarantine period lapses, the Antique Provincial Veterinary Office will collect blood samples from the hogs for testing. Chief  Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Florencio Macuja has reassured the public and hog raisers that there is no cause for panic. . “We still don’t have that laboratory test result to prove that the final diagnosis that it is ASF affecting those swine causing deaths in the municipality of Hamtic,” Macuja said. The Department of Agriculture (DA)-6 had earlier reported that Antique is the only province in Western Visayas region without ASF cases.