PNP: Oxalic acid found in victims’ remains

Traces of oxalic acid were found in the samples of the killer milk tea victims’ blood and gastric contents, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday, confirming the findings made by investigators of the Manila Police District.

However, PNP Crime Laboratory director Chief Superintendent Theresa Ann Cid declined to say that oxalic acid ingestion caused the deaths of ErgoCha tea house owner William Abrigo and his customer, Suzaine Dagohoy.

“The cause of death can be known after the result of the histopathological examination, which is part of the autopsy,” Cid told reporters in a press briefing.

She said the autopsy process includes a microscopic examination of the victims’ tissues, which will take a month to complete.

Cid said the oxalic acid in the blood samples and gastric contents were found through toxicological examination.

Oxalic acid is a white powder, similar to sugar and iodized salt, used to bleach clothes or clean marble tiles.

Reports had it that authorities also found traces of oxalic acid at the crime scene.

Cid said oxalic acid is hard to trace once it is dissolved and the lethal dose is 9.5 to 10 micrograms.

The Crime Laboratory chief warned the public to “remove oxalic acid from our sinks, where our children can reach them.”