PUFFER fish (PNA)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two individuals died and four were hospitalized after consuming a deadly puffer fish in Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay on Tuesday, July 1.
Police identified the fatalities as Repsine Galliner, 16, and Mary Joy Gumata, 30.
Hospitalized were Joash Gumata, 13; Jerome Gumata, 44; and two persons identified only as Edmundo and Chrisel.
Investigation said Galliner caught a big puffer fish and brought it to the Gumatas to be prepared and cooked. After consuming the fish, the victims began to feel unwell.
Patriarch Eduardo Gumata arrived and found the victims exhibiting signs of food poisoning and rushed them to a hospital in Olutanga.
Galliner and Mary Joy were declared dead on arrival. The four other victims were transferred to a hospital here.
Puffer fish contains a neurotoxin known as tetrodotoxin that can be found in its organs. Proper preparation is required for safe consumption of what is recognized as a delicacy in other parts of the world.