PNP: Dead couple in parking lot tests positive for cleaning acid

MANILA, Philippines —  The couple discovered dead in the parking area of a mall in Las Piñas City tested positive for oxalic acid, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.

In a report, PNP crime laboratory acting director Senior Superintendent Emmanuel Aranas said the forensics findings on the bodies of Jose Maria Escano, 51; and his Juliet, 51, showed that the couple ingested the cleaning agent.

"Toxicology examination conducted on the collected items and stomach contents of the victims gave positive result to the test for the presence of oxalic acid," Aranas said.

Aranas said that based on the autopsy examination, the cause of death of the Escanos was "shock secondary to ingestion of toxic substance."

Oxalic acid is a poisonous, colorless substance and will not be easily determined when dissolved in water or beverages.

"About 10 µg/mL (micrograms per milliliter) of oxalic acid is considered dangerous amount. The average human body contains approximately four liters of blood, therefore, it will only take about 40mg of oxalic acid to poison a human body which can potentially lead to a person’s death," Aranas said.

Last July 9, the Escanos were found unconscious at the parking lot of a mall  in Daang Hari Road, Las Piñas.

PREVIOUS STORY: ‘Toxic substance’ kills couple in Las Piñas