Teacher charged over food poisoning in Cagayan school

TUGUEGARAO CITY ,Philippines  – Police authorities have filed charges of reckless imprudence resulting to double homicide against a home economics teacher in Tuguegarao City in connection with last month’s food poisoning which resulted in the death of two children and hospitalization of several others.

Nicolasa Fresado of Barangay Larion Bajo Elementary School admitted preparing the fatal “Pansit Sinanta” later discovered by health authorities to be laced with sodium nitrate, a food preservative used for curing meat.

Police Officer 4 Dennis Mabborang of the Tuguegarao police said administrative charges will also be filed against the teacher before the Department of Education (DepEd).

Eloisa Marie Ballad and Jessica Mae Bangayan, both five-years-old died from the poisoning, first thought to have been caused by the accidental mixture of oxallic acid used in laundry work which Fresado mistook for iodized salt.

Reports said the parents of the victims will also file charges against Fresado. School authorities are also readying administrative charges against the teacher.