Cassava cake downs 31 students in Guimaras

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Thirty-one high school students in Guimaras province were rushed to the hospital Tuesday afternoon due to alleged food poisoning.

The Guimaras Police Provincial Hospital said the students all ate cassava cake during their morning recess from the cafeteria of the Suclaran National High School at Barangay Suclaran in San Lorenzo town, Guimaras.

By 2 p.m., two students started to complain of stomach pain and headache. Shortly after, several students also complained of the same. They were the first to be brought to the school clinic and then to the Guimaras Provincial Hospital in Jordan town.

Senior Inspector Ethan Estaya, San Lorenzo Police chief, said that of those who were taken to the hospital only two students, Hajji Sababa and Marie Guinsatao, remain in confinement, as of this writing.

According to canteen attendant, Lopis Dizon, the cassava cake was brought to cafeteria by a supplier every morning. There was no indication that it was already spoiled at the time, she said.

Estaya said the remaining slices of cassava cake were brought by a teacher to the hospital for tests, the results of which have yet to be known. — Jennifer P. Rendon (FREEMAN)