Pochero kills woman, downs 13 at Iloilo wake

ILOILO CITY , Philippines  – A woman died while 13 others were hospitalized after eating pochero – a stew made from chicken, pork or beef – served at a wake in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo last Sunday.

The town’s mayor, Isabelo Maquino, assured the victims of assistance.

In an interview over RMN-Iloilo yesterday, Senior Inspector Elmer Armada, Sta. Barbara police chief, identified the lone fatality as Elizabeth Borsillo, who died while undergoing treatment at the Western Visayas Sanitarium.

Eight of the victims were brought to the Ramon Tabiana Memorial Hospital in adjoining Cabatuan town, and the rest, at rural health centers and other hospitals.

Armada said investigation showed that the victims experienced vomiting and dizziness more than two hours after partaking of pochero at a wake in Barangay Balibagan Oeste last Sunday noon.

Armada refused to comment further, saying that the Department of Health has already stepped in to probe the apparent food poisoning.

Radio reports alleged that the cook might have mistakenly used oxalic acid – a bleaching agent for clothes – for salt. – Ronilo Ladrido Pamonag