MANILA, Philippines—Thirty-two people were reportedly poisoned Tuesday after eating suman, or sweet rice cake, in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday.
The victims, mostly employees of the Palawan Provincial Capitol, experienced nausea, dizziness, vomiting and abdominal pains after eating the suman sold in the Capitol, the NDRRMC said in a report.
The victims were identified as Daisy Tubi, 32, Rosita Garcia, 55, Neila Sadet, 55, Sonia Alaska, 39, Melissa Rambawa, 43, Anes Castor, 54, Rosalie Baldanaza, 40, Arlene Samarita, 39, Miguela Carbronero, 53, Cecilia Melendrez, 55, Joraine Balcosantos, 39, Judith Sarol, 42, Monaliza Bacosa, 27, Maria Lampitoc, 53, Ely Laurente, 55, Malou dela Cruz, 47, Cristina Parcia, 57, Lolita Morales, 39, Florabel Baldenosa, 54, Rosalina Natulla, 54, Sonia Segonia, 43, Vanessa Ustares, 41, Aisy, Gallego, 22, Laudencia Bonggat, 65, Hely Karl Villaver, 16, Michelle Semblante, 23, Nicole Semblante, 4, Wilson Capitulo, 45, Emmanuel Bonggat, 34, Nerio Semblante, 30, Wendy Basco, 21, Gabriel Basco, 3.
Local health authorities have interviewed the victims as well as the vendor of the suman.
Food samples have been collected and sent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the place where the suman was made was inspected by the Provincial Health Office of Palawan, NDRRMC said.