But a raiding team led by the city veterinarian's office failed to make arrests as the stall where the meat was found had been abandoned, radio dzBB's Roland Bola reported.

City veterinarian Ronaldo Bernasor said their initial investigation showed the meat likely came from Bulacan province.

According to GMANews.tv, the meat was found in a stall at a market along Primero de Mayo Street near the Libertad Market in Pasay City at about 2 a.m. Friday.

But authorities lamented the vendors at neighboring stalls refused to talk on where the vendors selling the tainted meat were.

Dr Bernasor said the seized meat was to be brought to the nearby Crocodile Farm to be fed to the crocodiles there.