Sagay City 2 killed, 8 hospitalized in puffer fish poisoning

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Two fishermen in Sagay City, Negros Occidental died, while eight others were hospitalized, after eating puffer fish (locally known as butete) Tuesday afternoon, a radio report said.

Romulo Celeste, 58, and Francisco Mapalo, 42, residents of Brgy. Old Sagay, died at the Sagay District Hospital a few hours after they ate a “butete” dish cooked in coconut milk, Aksyon Radyo reported.

Hospitalized were Roy Hit, 30, Rommel Barcelona, 36, Eric Bagabaldo, 44, Ruby Ann Aligato, 34, and Theresa Belmoro, 34, and her 5-year-old son and two daughters, aged 4 and 2.

Hit reportedly cooked about two kilos of puffer fish to go with the liquor they were drinking, while the other victims also partook some, causing them to feel dizzy and vomit, the radio report added.

In June last year, two fishermen also died and 10 others were hospitalized after eating puffer fish also in Silay City.

In April last year, two minors died from puffer fish poisoning in Hinigaran town of Negros Occidental. —(FREEMAN)