Food served at anti-drug meet downs 48 students

ILOILO CITY – Forty-eight students were hospitalized after eating the food served during an anti-drug activity in Dumangas, Iloilo on Saturday.

The students, who were part of the three-day Barkada

Kontra Droga encampment, are from different high schools in nearby San Dionisio town.

The victims suffered stom- ach pain and loose bowel movement at around 4 p.m.

Therese, a student of the Hacienda Conchita High School, told probers that they were served with rice and pork mixed with corn kernels at around 12 noon.

“The food was delicious and I did not taste anything unusual,” Therese said, adding she thought she was the only one who got sick.

Therese went to the nearest hospital for treatment. Minutes later, several students arrived and complained of stomach pain.

The students were given intravenous fluids. Most of them were discharged yesterday morning.

No one among the students was reported critical, according to Chief Inspector Rene Obregon, chief of the Dumangas police.

The caterer, identified as Joel Dionela, vowed to shoulder the hospital expenses of the students.

Dionela met with Eugenio Mallorca, principal of the Dumangas National High School, and lawyer Phoebe Fanco, event’s coordinator, to discuss the matter.

Dumangas Mayor Ronaldo Golez also vowed to help the students.