Another food poisoning case? Noodles down 24 in South Cotabato
Breaking News • 05:07 AM Mon Aug 3, 2015
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By:
Edwin Fernandez with report from DXOM-AM
Pancit (Noodles) in banana leaves. (Courtesy of www.filipinoportal.com)
KORONADAL CITY – At least 24 persons have been downed by noodles and rice Saturday in
what officials believed was another case of food poisoning in a mountain town
in South Cotabato, officials said Sunday.
The victims are
now confined in a private hospital in Barangay Edwards, T’boli town in South
Cotabato, according to Romar Azarcon, Church leader from Surallah.
Speaking over DXOM-AM Radyo Bida Koronadal,Azarcon,
president of Surallah Parish Pastoral Council, said all those rushed to the
hospital after complaining of abdominal pain have participated during last
Saturday’s protest action against aerial spraying in Delinanas banana
plantation in Surallah.
Mayor Dibu
Tuan of T’boli said the number of victims might rise as more and more villagers
have complained of stomach disorder but prefer to stay home.
Tuan would not
confirm a poisoning case but added the victims showed symptoms of food
poisoning.
Azarcon said
the rally participants from T’boli had brought their own food for lunch while
those from Surallah were fed with pansit” (noodles) and cooked rice prepared
by the Surallah parish convent.
We suspect
that the food of rally participants from T’boli could have been spoiled because
they were wrapped by banana leaves exposed to sunlight,” Azarcon said.
Tuan and
Azarcon said health authorities have taken samples of the victims’ discharges
for laboratory examination.
Azarcon said
the victims joined the protest rally against aerial spray in Surallah and
prevented a plane from taking off.
At the end of
the protest, the participants had lunch and went home. On Saturday night, at least 24 have
complained of stomach pain.
Azarcon ruled
out the abdominal complaints of participants was caused by chemicals used in
spraying of banana plants.