SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines – At least 24 persons, including a two-year-old boy, were hospitalized after eating rice noodles or bihon guisado in T’boli town here on Saturday.
The victims were among a group of protesters holding a rally against the use of pesticides at a banana farm in the area.
Reports said the victims suffered abdominal pains and dizziness after eating noodles served during the rally by a local religious group.
Romar Azarcon, one of the rally organizers, said the noodles were prepared at a convent in nearby Surallah town.
The noodles were reportedly wrapped in banana leaves.
T’boli Mayor Dibu Tuan said the municipal health office has yet to determine the exact number of the victims, all residents of Purok Bliss in Barangay Poblacion.