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3 dead, 5 survivors in Masbate pufferfish poisoning

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3 dead

Jonathan Magistrado

<div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774336240232composites 2 (1) (8).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="3 dead, 5 survivors in Masbate pufferfish poisoning. ABS-CBN News map; BFAR-5"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">3 dead, 5 survivors in Masbate pufferfish poisoning. <em>ABS-CBN News map; BFAR-5</em></span></span></span></div><p>A family dinner turned tragic in Barangay Maihao, Cawayan, Masbate, when three members of one family died after eating pufferfish.</p><p>Barangay Chairman Keen Stanley Ynot confirmed that the deceased include a 53-year-old man, his 50-year-old wife, and their 33-year-old niece, a single mother of four.</p><p>According to Ynot, the husband bought the pufferfish, locally known as butete or tikong, from a fisherman near a port.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/13/bfar-nakamamatay-na-lason-ng-devil-crab-tulad-ng-sa-puffer-fish-1656">BFAR: Nakamamatay na lason ng devil crab tulad ng sa puffer fish</a></div><p>While the family had safely consumed pufferfish in the past when prepared by the husband, this was reportedly the first time the wife had prepared the meal.</p><p>Investigations suggest the fish was not cleaned properly, leaving lethal toxins intact. The family consumed the meal at around 8 p.m. on March 21.</p><p>“Nakita ni husband, binili niya, tapos andun naman yung kapitbahay nila, pinadala doon sa bahay dahil ito si husband is nagtatrabaho pa. Medyo ginabi pauwi yung husband kaya niluto na ng misis niya,” Ynot said. </p><p>“Si husband sana marunong mag-prepare. Sabi ng mga anak, nakakain na raw sila dati pa. Pero yung father nila yung nagpe-prepare,” he continued.</p><p>Five other individuals, including two adults and three children, also ate small portions of the fish. They were rushed for medical treatment after experiencing symptoms of poisoning and are now recovering due to the limited amount they ingested.</p><p>“Okay na po sila. Nung nakakain sila, nagsusuka sila, tapos na-treat naman, medyo naagapan nang medyo maaga sila… Hindi katulad nitong tatlong &#x27;to, ginawa talaga nilang dinner. Ulam talaga,” Ynot said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/12/content-creator-patay-matapos-kumain-ng-devil-crab-sa-puerto-princesa-city-1728">Content creator patay matapos kumain ng devil crab sa Puerto Princesa City</a></div><p>The tragedy left six children orphaned. The couple is survived by two children, aged 18 and 20, while the niece leaves behind four children, including a 4-year old and a student graduating from Grade 6 next week.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;LASON SA BUTETE WALANG ANTIDOTE&#x27;</strong></div><p>The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Bicol reiterated that consuming pufferfish is prohibited because of its tetrodotoxin content, which attacks the human nervous system.</p><p>&quot;Walang antidote o lunas sa lason ng butete. Hindi natatanggal ang lason nito sa pamamagitan ng paglilinis o pagluluto,&quot; the agency said in a post.</p><p>&quot;Alinsunod sa Fisheries Administrative Order No. 249, Series of 2014 na ipinalabas ng Department of Agriculture, mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang pagbebenta, pamamahagi, at pagkonsumo ng butete sa anumang anyo, sariwa man o naproseso, dahil sa mataas nitong toxicity o lason,&quot; it added.</p><p>Besides pufferfish, BFAR in Bicol also reminded the public not to consume goby fish, locally known as biya or mulog, also due to its high toxicity.</p><p>The local government of Cawayan visited the grieving family to provide financial assistance for funeral expenses and support for the children.</p><p>Ynot said the local government is now crafting an ordinance that would strictly prohibit the catching, selling, or distribution of pufferfish to prevent similar fatalities in the future. </p>

<p>A family dinner turned tragic in Barangay Maihao, Cawayan, Masbate, when three members of one family died after eating pufferfish.</p>

A family dinner turned tragic in Barangay Maihao, Cawayan, Masbate, when three members of one family died after eating pufferfish.

'Ginawang ulam': 3 dead, 5 survivors in Masbate pufferfish poisoning

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'Ginawang ulam': 3 dead, 5 survivors in Masbate pufferfish poisoning

Jonathan Magistrado

Published March 24, 2026 04:08 PM PHT

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Pufferfish

Masbate

Food Poisoning

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