Durian Candy poison thousands of people of Region XIII, Philippines

BAYUGAN CITY - Thousands of children and adults in the province of Surigao del Sur and hundreds were victimized in the province of Agusan del Sur specifically in Bayugan City when they ate the said Durian and Mangosteen sold by a group of people came from Davao last July 10.

Suspected that there are twelve people and some of them were already arrested namely, Junnil Martinez, John Oben, Joel Paja, Richard Rivera Jr., Martinez Bocaycay, Genelyn Pasa, Henry Amoguis. 

A white Mitsubishi L-300 FB Deluxe with license plates MEM366 and registered under the name of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ based in Davao was also seized.

In the City of Bayugan, there were students from a private college also victimized by this food poisoning after they ate the Durian candies sold to them early morning.

The victims suffered nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps after eating the said candies.

There were no reports of death and most of the victims were already discharged.

According to the manufacturer of the candy as identified as Wendey's Durian Candy from Davao City, they didn't sell repacked candies as what the suspects sold to the schools.

Aside from Durian Candy, there was a report that 3 people were poisoned also by a Buko Pie in Bayugan City but as of now, there is no findings about what kind of chemical was on that Buko Pie.

And now, the DOH Caraga declared a Food Poisoning Outbreak in the whole region.

 The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also released an advisory:

And because of the food poisoning outbreak, an information circulating now on the social networking sites saying that the poisoning is part of Satan's work.

Source: Agusan del Sur, My Home

OPINION 
For me, there is a wrong in the food handling on this case. Maybe the seller didn't care about the expiration date and the improper repacking of this candies. As you can see on the candy wrappers, a slight opening will make it spoil or the bacteria easily enter.


Consumers will be also vigilant and check whether the food is expired or there is no expiration indicated. Some businessmen make a way even if it is wrong just to earn money. 


Source: News Bayugan; Inquirer and Agusan del Sur My Home Facebook page