9 hospitalized after eating at milk tea restaurant in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — At least nine persons exhibiting symptoms of food poisoning were hospitalized in Iloilo City on Thursday after allegedly eating and drinking at a popular milk tea outlet.

The police and health officials were verifying reports that one of the victims had died.

City health officer Urminico Baronda Jr. said the patients were suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains and fever which were consistent with food poisoning.

The patients told police and health officials that they began experiencing the symptoms early Thursday morning after eating and drinking the day before at the Dakasi Milk Tea outlet in Barangay (village) San Rafael in Mandurriao District.

The Dakasi main office in Cubao, Quezon City declined to issue any statement when reached by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Baronda said he ordered the temporary closure of the restaurant pending results of the investigation being conducted by the city health office and the Department of Health.

Food and drink samples have been taken from the restaurant to determine if there was food poisoning.

Senior Inspector Lea Rose Peña, Mandurriao police chief, said at least five victims have filed complaints before their office on the alleged food poisoning incident.

“Our initial investigation showed that there are at least 14 alleged victims confined in various hospitals,” Peña told the Inquirer.