Food poisoning downs 107 in Muntinlupa

MANILA, Philippines — At least 107 students and residents of Barangay Poblacion in Muntinlupa suffered food poisoning hours after they attended a feeding program organized by a private school in the city on Saturday night.

The victims were rushed to the Ospital ng Muntilupa after they complained of stomach pain and vomited, according to city police chief Senior Superintendent Gerardo Umayao.

The city health department will examine the food samples provided by the school to determine the cause of the food poisoning, Umayao said.  

“We could not tell yet who’s to blame for the food poisoning. The school had a good intention in holding the feeding program, but we will conduct an investigation to determine who should be held liable for the incident,” he said. 

Umayao said they would initiate the filing of charges only if the victims will file a complaint against the school officials. 

 Some of the victims have been discharged from the hospital. Others are still under observation as of yesterday afternoon, police said.

 Dr. Erwin Dimatactac, chief of hospital operations of the Ospital ng Muntinlupa, confirmed that the victims suffered food poisoning.

The school management coordinated with the victims and promised to shoulder their hospital bills.