3 dead in puffer fish poisoning in Masbate


LEGAZPI CITY — Three people died on Saturday after eating puffer fish, locally known as “butete,” in Cawayan town in Masbate province.

The fatalities were identified as Benito A. Jumao-as, Rosebell P. Jumao-as, and Joanna Tapar, all residents of Purok 3, Maihao village.

Wheng Bricia-Briones, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Bicol information officer, said Jumao-as got the fish from a fisherfolk who intended to discard it, knowing it was unsafe for human consumption.

“The fish was cooked as ‘paksiw’ and shared among family members and neighbors. A few hours after eating, the victims experienced numbness and severe abdominal pain and later died,” Briones said.

The incident was verified by BFAR’s Provincial Fisheries Office in Masbate in coordination with the Municipal Agriculture Office of Cawayan.

READ: Health centers must be equipped vs venoms

“We are strictly reminding the public that the sale, distribution, and consumption of puffer fish are prohibited under Fisheries Administrative Order No. 249, Series of 2014, as it could cause death due to its toxic and potentially fatal properties,” she added.

She said to prevent another poisoning incident, the agency continuously conducts information campaigns in the community and coordinates with local officials to warn residents about the dangers of eating puffer fish./coa