The Makati City local government closed down a renowned oyster restaurant in Poblacion, Makati after coming under fire from netizens after some of its customers allegedly became sick after eating in the establishment.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Feb. 16, the city government posted photos of officials from its Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) attaching a closure order sign on Wantusawa Oyster Bar's door.
"Inspectors from the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) served a closure order against Wantusawa Oyster Bar/Twin Flames Corp. last February 13, 2023, at 5811 Jacobo St., Poblacion, for violating the Sanitation Code of the Philippines," the city government said.
It added that Makati City Mayor Abby Binay "ordered the continuing crackdown to restore order and discipline in Makati and protect the interest of legitimate businesses, Makatizens, and the general public."
Wantusawa Oyster Bar went viral on social media in January following a netizen's post of compiled screenshots of people saying that they suffered from food poisoning after allegedly eating in the restaurant.
Some of them suffered from diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, cramps, bloating, and other symptoms after eating Wantusawa's oysters.
The restaurant posted a statement on its social media pages on Jan. 25 denying the food poisoning allegations.
"At Wantusawa, we take customer feedback and reviews very seriously. We always strive to provide freshly prepared meals while adhering to critical and safety standards," Wantusawa said.
"We have addressed each issue in a timely fashion requiring the necessary details in a fair and scientific manner. In fact, laboratory tests conducted on samples for those dates ... have shown negative result for bacteria and thus clearing the possibility of any food poisoning," it added.
The establishment explained that despite their efforts, laboratory tests, and health clearances, they are still getting flak and bullying from netizens. Wantusawa's management said that it plans to take legal action against "these purveyors of bullying and untruth."