UPDATEand Another food poisoning case? Pastil downs 15 in Sultan Kudarat

KORONADAL CITY - Fifteen persons, 13 students and two teachers, were hospitalized after eating the famous pastil, aMaguindanaoan Muslim dish made of steamed rice topped with shredded chicken adobo flakes.All the victims are now confined at theSouth Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH), hours after eating Pastil sold to them by a student of Sultan Kudarat State University-Lutayan campus in Barangay Blingkong, Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat.Victims told DXOM-AM Radyo Bida in Koronadal City that the pastil was their lunch sold to them by a classmate who was also hospitalized.PO2 Romulo Lorania, the Lutayan policeinvestigator handling the case, said in an interview that the food was bought outside the campus and brought inside for lunch.About three hours later, those who partake in the rice and adobo flakes wrapped in banana leavessuffered stomach disorders, unusual vowel movementand severe abdominal pain. Currently confined at the provincial hospital wereCarlo John Sumbong, 18, Rommel Gabaez, 20, Billy Ray Arana, 19, Jona Palma, 19, Ferdinand Narte, 23, Peter Bajo, 22, Rolly Boy Sagao, 19, Adrian Misares, 20, Melvin Madero, 20, Arnel Buenafe, 24, Paul Mindal Jr,17, Allan Pinto,20, and Angelie Lugong, 19.Charlene Capillo, 25 and Nicholas Jacinto, 45, both teachers of SKSU-Lutayan were also confined in the same hospital.Dr.Conrado Brana, SCPH chief of hospital, said laboratory tests are still on going as of posting to determine what triggered the abdominal disorders. Interviewed by DXOM-AM Radyo Bida, Brana strongly reminded the public to avoid taking food of unknown and uncertain sources.The victims were rushed to SCPH as it is more accessible from Lutayan via Barangay Namnama of Koronadal City.