By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
Hundreds of students in the southern Philippines were rushed to hospital Friday after eating sweets that appear to have been poisonous, officials said.
Surigao Del Sur Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Narciso Verdader told reporters that candies produced in Davao City gave more than 370 people - mostly students - food poisoning.
"I based my data from the Madrid district hospital, Marihatag district Hospital, and Lianga hospital," Verdader said.
He said he had immediately ordered police commanders to arrest vendors selling durian and mangosteen candies to prevent the spread of the poisonous products.
Eight vendors, five of them in Cagwait - which was heavily affected, two in Tandag city, and one in the municipality of Tagbiait were taken in for questioning.
GMA News Network quoted the local Office of Civil Defense as saying that the candies had expired.
Rogen Tabugoc, public information officer, told reporters in Surigao that at least 200 people in Cagwait town alone suffered from vomiting and dizziness, and were sent to the hospital after they ate the candy.
Tabugoc, whose own daughter was poisoned, added that the candy was sold at a cheap price.
He said most of the students bought candies during recess.
“My wife told me the town’s in chaos. There are almost no vehicles left to transport victims. My 12-year-old daughter has been sent to the hospital. They said the hospital and health centers are already full,” he was quoted as saying in a Rappler online report.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has yet to confirm if anyone died from the suspected poisoning.
