N. Cotabato mayor orders probe of 'food poisoning'

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – The mayor of Makilala, North Cotabato yesterday ordered the police to investigate a supposed food poisoning incident wherein 100 of his townmates, including two office heads, were downed.

Mayor Rudy Caoagdan said he ordered the investigation to check if the caterer was liable for the incident.

“Why did it happen? Is it really a case of food poisoning or not? I want to know the truth. That is why I ordered the investigation,” Caoagdan said.

Reports said the victims, who were all participants of a fun run as part of the town’s second Sinabadan Festival, complained of nausea, dizziness, vomiting and stomach pains after eating “pastil” (rice with a topping of egg and mashed chicken adobo).

Among the victims were Jimmy Casimiro, head of the municipal human resource management office, and Rebecca Ajero, chief of the municipal interior and local government office. – Ramil Bajo, John Unson