Three people were killed while four others were hospitalized after they allegedly ate a puffer fish, locally known as “botete,” for dinner in Tabango, Leyte Monday, December 28, 2020.
The fatalities were identified as Restituto Sumalinog, 63, married, construction worker; Lucricia Anislagon, 49, married, housewife; and Ramil Catam-isan, 40, farmer.
Hospitalized were Jolito Dalut, 25, construction worker; Rodulfo Hiki, 26, married, farmer; Lucina Hiki, 24, married, housewife; and Beinvinida Sumalinog, 53, married, housewife, all residents of Sitio Patag, Barangay Tabing, Tabango.
Initial investigation disclosed that a certain 60-year-old resident named as Corazon Yaon brought a pufferfish to Restituto around 2 p.m. Monday.
The victim then cooked the said fish and brought it to their barbecue stand at about 6:30 p.m. Monday, offering it to their customers for free while they engaged in a drinking session.
Later in the evening, Restituto, along with Anislagon and Catam-isan suddenly experienced “extreme vomiting and loss of consciousness” after they allegedly consumed the liver parts of the pufferfish.
They were brought to Tabango Community Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival.
The other victims were further referred to Leyte Provincial Hospital, Palo, Leyte and now in stable condition, according to the report from the Police Regional Office headquarters in Palo, Leyte.
Police are investigating the incident.