Spoiled rice downs 6 in Zambo City

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Six persons, including a child, were hospitalized after partaking of a meal composed of rice, bihon noodles and sardines Tuesday night in Barangay Talon-Talon here.

Authorities identified three of the victims as Norman Manuel, Roderick Manuel and John Peter Masilan – all stay-in laborers at Mubin Daut Enterprises. The three other victims, one of whom was a minor, remained unidentified as of press time.

A source at the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC), where the victims were brought after complaining of nausea and stomach ache, said three were in critical condition.

Reports said the six victims had dinner at around 9 a.m. at the Mubin Daut Enterprises compound and ate rice with pancit bihon and sardines.

However, they started complaining of stomach pains and later vomited. At around 3:30 a.m., other co-workers decided to rush them to the ZCMC.

There were initial speculations that the rice the victims ate could have come from the batch of synthetic rice that had found its way to Davao City recently. Still, there was loose talk that the rice could have been tainted and poorly cooked.

Initial findings said spoiled rice could have been the cause of the poisoning incident.

City Health Officer Dr. Rodel Agbulos has already visited the victims and has ordered an immediate investigation into this latest case of food poisoning.

The Manila Bulletin tried to reach National Food Authority (NFA)-Zamboanga manager Gaudencio Nuega but he could not be reached for comment.