‘Cyanide’ kills two, downs 54 in Ilocos

By Freddie G. Lazaro

CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur -- Two fishermen died while 54 others were hospitalized in Barangay Pilar, Sta. Cruz, this province last week due to severe stomach pain, shortness of breathing, vomiting, and fever.

Gov. Deogracias Victor "DV" B. Savellano ordered Thursday policemen to conduct a thorough investigation on the suspected cyanide poisoning which police suspected caused the victims to fall ill.

Chief Insp. Jugith del Prado, Sta. Cruz chief of police, identified the dead victims as Jacinto Ronald and Loreto Cabradilla, both fishermen and residents of Barangay Pilar, Sta. Cruz.

Both men suffered severe stomach ache and fever then died, Del Prado said.

Ronald died while being treated in the Tagudin General Hospital in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, while Cabradilla died while confined in the Ilocos Region Medical and Training Center in San Fernando City, La Union.

Del Prado said 22 of the 25 persons who fell ill were confined in the Tagudin General Hospital.

They were identified as Ardel Pascua, 20; Patrick Pascua, 17; Mattio Antolin, 20; Benito Nalaoagan, 40; Hector Cabradilla, 49; Joel Rondariz, 25; Arnold Rondariz, 27; Christian Ganat, 31; Edgar Cabradilla, 41; Alvin Peralta, 16; Rocky Manzano, 22; Jake Balanza, 29; Jomar Laurentino, 17; Ronald Cabuenas, 24; Erwin Cabunas, 24; Rea An Cabradilla, 13; Orlando Corpuz, 14; Romy Bermudez, 26; Joseph Bermudez, 21, Aboy Gascon, 22; Rolando Bio, 32; and David Manzano, 34, all residents of Barangay Pilar.

Many of them were taken to the hospital last Monday, police said.

Dr. Eugene Dauz, head of the Tagudin General Hospital, said three others were confined in another hospital, while 29 more victims were outpatients.

They all suffered stomach ache, vomiting, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, and body weakness. Del Prado said the first 25 victims were confined in the Tagudin General Hospital. "Eight of the 23 victims were already discharged from the hospital," he said.

Investigation showed on Sept. 21-25, a group of fishermen, including the dead victims, went to the Buaya River in the town to catch fish, locally known as "ipon" (small fish). Their catch was brought home, cooked and eaten by victims during meals.

Although the fish was eaten some two ago, the poison was believed to have gradually taken its effects in the victims. Doctor Dauz said the symptoms of illness indicated cyanide poisoning.

"Samples of the eaten fish were extracted from the victims were subjected to laboratory examination, while samples of water taken from the Buaya River were submitted to Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources for examination," Dauz said.

"We also refered the case to the Toxicology and Epidemiology Department of the Department of Health in Manila for examination," Dauz said.

He said appropriate medicines had been given to the victims for their recovery. "We are very thankful for the immediate support extended by Gov. Deogracias Victor "DV" B. Savellano and Vice Gov. Jerry Singson who provided the medicines for the victims," he added.

It was reported that one of the victims dropped sodium cyanide tablets in the Buaya River before they started catching the "ipon" fish.