Korean couple linked to food poisoning of Benguet kids

BAGUIO CITY – A Korean missionary couple was questioned by the police regarding 37 children hospitalized for food poisoning on Wednesday afternoon (June 27) after consuming sweets in Buguias town, Benguet province.

Lee In Suk, 52, and Tiehua Woom, 55, who live in Buguias, distributed “Strawberry curls” shortly before 19 grade school pupils and 18 high school students in Natubleng village were rushed to the Atok District Hospital.

The children said they suffered stomach ache and vomiting after eating the candies handed out by the couple near the schools.

The Koreans reportedly distributed the same candies in other schools along the route to Abatan village near the Halsema Highway.

The couple resides in Bangao village, about four kilometers from the Buguias town hall. Their neighbors said the Koreans often hike around the area and have been with them since 2017.

The Koreans surrendered three more packs of the candies, which were sent out for laboratory testing. They said the candies were purchased from a local grocery.

Some of the children’ parents filed formal complaints against the couple at the police station in Abatan. The Koreans were not detained but have signed an affidavit expressing their willingness to cooperate with investigators.