Food poisoning kills 2 in Cagayan

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 06/15/2011 12:09 AM | Updated as of 06/15/2011 12:09 AM

TUGUEGARAO, Philippines Two children were died while 41 others were rushed to a hospital Tuesday morning after suffering from food poisoning. The casualties were identified by police as Eloisa Ballad and Jessica May Bangayan, students of Larion Bajo Elementary School in Tuguegarao. Authorities said both died while being treated at a hospital, after they complained of stomach pains. Sobra itong nangyari sa anak ko, paborito kong anak iyan. Kahapon ang saya saya niya tapos ngayon, uuwi siya wala na, said Eloisas father Erwin. Initial investigations by the Philippine National Police showed that the students and several teachers may have ingested a cleaning agent accidentally mixed in their "sinantak," or noodles in broth.

"Sa ginawa naming ocular inspection, may nakita kaming crystalline substance na in laymans terms ay oxalic. Iyon daw ang naihalo ng teacher sa pagkain, said Superintendent Pedro Martirez Jr. Fresada, meanwhile, admitted that she may have mixed the poisonous chemical by mistake. "Kulang sa asin yung niluluto ko, kumuha ako dun, hindi ko alam na kemikal pala iyon. Akala ko asin," said Fresada. She is now in the custody of the authorities. She may face charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and multiple physical injuries. The City Health Office will examine stool samples gathered by the Department of Health to confirm if oxalic acid was the cause of the food poisoning. -- With
reports from Julius Camba, ABS-CBN Cagayan Valley; Agence FrancePresse