The Sulu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said 100 individuals, majority of them children, fell victim to food poisoning from the snack that was privded for them by the troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

According to Sulu PDRRMO officer Julkipli Ahijon Jr., majority of the victims were boy scouts and girl scouts.

They were aged as nine to 13, as they went on a camping trip accompanied by their teachers and parents in a mountain where AFP troops were also deployed.

According to Ahijon, a total of 56 victims were admitted in hospitals, as 46 were tagged as outpatients after eating a dessert called “binignit.”

“Nung last day nila, may nag-sponsor ng snacks na tinatawag nila na binignit. Allegedly, after nila kumain, doon na sila nahilo at saka nagsusuka”.

“‘Yung bundok kasi na kung san ginanap ‘yung [camping], may mga kasama tayong AFP doon. May iba-ibang units ang nandoon sa taas. Inaalam natin, hindi ko pa masabi kung anong unit talaga ang nagpakain dahil under investigation pa… Yes po, sundalo [ang nagpakain],” he added.

Meanwhile, Ahijon narrated that three victims were in critical condition due to the alleged food poisoning but are now in stable conditions.

CURRENTPH NEWS SERVICE