23 children hospitalized after eating 'medicinal plant' in Pampanga

Twenty-three children in Barangay Pulungbulu, Angeles City, Pampanga were hospitalized after eating a supposedly medicinal plant called the "bunga ng galumbang" or "tubang-bakod" (purging nut tree). The children ate a dried bunga ng galumbang after a man, identified as Edwin Balbuena, allegedly told them that the fruit was delicious. Maria Ausente reported on GMA News' Unang Balita on Thursday that Balbuena refused to be interviewed and insisted that he was innocent. "Ang pangalan niya'y Edwin Balbuena, taga-Pulungbulu rin, at pinainvite siya, dinala siya ng barangay dito for questioning," said PO2 Sherwin Haboc. The 23 children experienced vomiting, stomach ache and dizziness after eating the plant. Four children remain confined at a hospital in Angeles City. Nine children are still under observation. Ten others were declared out of danger and were released from the hospital. One of the food poisoning victims, nine year-old Dexter Garcia said "Pumunta po kami sa mga kasama ko. Sabi niya, kumain kayo ng ganito, kumuha siya ng isa, tinikim niya yung isa. Sabi niya masarap ito. Tapos tinikman na namin." Barangay Pulungbulu residents, however, said the plant was used as a wound healer and a massage liniment and was not meant to be eaten. "Gamot po ito, hindi kinakain ito. Kasi po pag tuyo ang ganito, yung mga bata siguro nakitang bago binuksan ganito lumitaw, siguro naengganyong tikman. Siguro akala lasang mani, baka akala ng mga bata, mani," said barangay tanod Noli Manalo. Barangay officials said they plan to place signages to warn people that the plant is not edible. Garcia, who was one of the victims, said he believes it would be better if the plant were cut down. Other food poisoning instances Only two days ago, two five-year-old students of the Larion Bajo Elementary School in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan died while undergoing treatment for food poisoning. The victims were identified as Eloisa Marie ballad and Jessica May Bangayan. They were among the 41 pupils and three teachers who were rushed to different hospitals in the city after eating noodles cooked and sold to the students by Nicolasa Fresado, a health education teacher. The Philippine National Police in Tuguegarao found that a white crystalline substance believed to be oxalic acid was mistakenly used as a cooking ingredient at the Home Economics Kitchen of the school. Melonie Ballad, mother of Eloisa, as well as Jessica's relatives said they will press criminal and administrative charges against the school officials after the funeral. Department of Education officials have formed an investigating committee to look into the incident. “Having an investigation to uncover those liable has been [our] standard operating procedure. We will see that those guilty will be punished according to the law," said DepEd regional director Benito Tumamao in an earlier report. Party food downs 150 guests Meanwhile, a village in Bulacan province has been placed under a state of calamity after food poisoning downed around 150 residents on June 12. The victims suffered from stomach ache, dizziness, fever, vomiting and diarrhea after eating home-cooked spaghetti, fried chicken and hotdogs at a birthday party in Barangay Meysulao, Calumpit, Bulacan. The NDRRMC reports that 123 victims are still admitted at Bulacan Medical Center, Lim Hospital in Apalit, Sta. Cruz Hospital and Calumpit District Hospital. The Department of Health, the Calumpit Water District and the National Epidemiological Center will release the results of their investigation within a week. - VVP, GMA News