Guimaras native, three others, die after eating puffer fish

ILOILO – Four individuals, including a native of Guimaras province, met their demise after consuming puffer fish, locally known as “butete,” in Barangay Buluang, Busuanga, Palawan.

The f a t a l i t i e s were identified as Dario Daco Sr., Rocky Daco, Tyron Talurong, and Jodel De la Cruz.

According to initial reports, De l a Cruz hailed f rom Barangay Guiwanon, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, but had married in Palawan.

A friend of the victims revealed that the group caught and prepared the puffer fish, separating its entrails and feeding them to a pig.

The pig reportedly died from consuming the entrails, yet the victims still proceeded to grill and consume the meat while in a drinking session on Tuesday night, March 12. Subsequently, they experienced severe abdominal pain and vomiting.

Two of the victims, Dario Daco and Talurong, were found dead in their respective houses early Wednesday morning, March 13, while Rocky Daco and De la Cruz were rushed to the Busuanga Rural Health Unit, where they succumbed to the poisoning.

Their companion, Janeil Daco, 24, was also sent to a hospital and is currently receiving treatment.

The Department of Health confirms that puffer fish contain toxins, including tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin, affecting the central nervous system. These toxins are said to be “1,200 times” deadlier than cyanide.

Symptoms can manifest within 30 minutes, with fatalities occurring within six hours post-consumption. Signs of poisoning include n u m b n e s s , v o m i t i n g , dizziness, difficulty speaking and walking, paralysis, impaired mental faculties, and a sudden drop in blood pressure./