‘Lambanog’ kills trike driver in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — A tricycle driver died after drinking “lambanog’ or coconut wine in Novaliches, Quezon City on Thursday night.

Alfredo Cuadra, 47, died while undergoing treatment at the East Avenue Medical Center at around 11 p.m.

Cuadra was among the 17 individuals brought to the hospital after a drinking spree in Barangay San Bartolome on Dec. 1.

Chief Inspector Elmer Monsalve, head of the Quezon City police criminal investigation unit, said Cuadra died five days after he was taken to the hospital.

Cuadra’s colleagues identified as Dennis Cuadra, 37; Alvin Reyes, 42; Delfin Bangayon, 55, and Crispulo Mateo, 43, died after drunk lambanog on Sunday.

Probers said the victims were members of the San Bartolome Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association. 

Police said the victims bore no external injuries.

Monsalve said they were still awaiting the results of the autopsy conducted on the victims. 

Two persons remain under observation in the hospital while 10 others are ready for discharge, police said.

Four men also died after drinking lambanog in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna on Saturday.

Police said they recovered around 600 ml of lambanog from the relatives of the victims.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that the lambanog, which caused the deaths of the victims, contained high levels of methanol.

“Samples of the product for laboratory analysis showed that it contained high levels of methanol,” the agency said.

According to the FDA, ingestion of high amounts of methanol causes adverse effects such as blindness and permanent neurological dysfunction, which may lead to death. 

Authorities advised the public to refrain from consuming lambanog that are not registered with the FDA.

The agency also warned stores against selling unregistered lambanog. – Mayen Jaymalin