Deadly drinking spree

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – Two drinking buddies died after having puffer fish as their ‘pulutan’ (finger food) during a drinking spree in this city, police said yesterday.

Chief Inspector Roberto Marcos, commander of the police station in Barangay Patalon, identified the fatalities as Rodrigo Pioquinto, 53, and Randy Algodon, 32, both fishermen.

Marcos said the victims died from food poisoning after eating the fish believed to be part of their day’s catch. 

The victims were rushed to the Labuan Public Hospital and later transferred to the Zamboanga City Medical Center where they expired.

The local Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) here had warned the public to refrain from eating puffer fish as it contains toxins.