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Bleaching substance found in remains of Ergo Cha milk tea poisoning victims


The Philippine National Police said the remains of the two people killed after drinking milk tea from the Ergo Cha milk tea shop in Manila have tested positive for a bleaching substance.
 
In a statement released Monday, the PNP said the remains of both William Abrigo, owner of Ergo Cha milk tea shop in Sampaloc, Manila, and customer Suzaine Dagohoy tested positive for oxalic acid, a "colorless substance [that] will not easily be determined when dissolved in water or beverages."
 
The PNP Crime Laboratory conducted forensic examinations after a post-mortem examination by the Manila Police District, which found that Dagohoy have have died due to "shock probably secondary to ingestion of toxic substance."
 
The PNP Crime Laboratory findings also confirmed results from the MPD examination, which found oxalic acid in the blood and stomach contents of Abrigo.
 
According to PNP Crime Laboratory director Chief Supt. Theresa Ann Cid,  "About 10 µg/mL (micrograms per milliliter) of oxalic acid is considered dangerous amount. The average human body contains approximately four (4) liters of blood, therefore, it will only take about 40mg of oxalic acid to poison a human body which can potentially lead to a person’s death."
 
MPD director Chief Supt. Rolando Nana added the milk tea, powder and syrup which authorities recovered from the crime scene were found to be positive for oxalic acid in an examination conducted by a private laboratory through the Food and Drug Administration.
 
Meanwhile, Dagohoy's boyfriend, Arnold Aydalla, who also had to be hospitalized, was diagnosed for "toxic ingestion of unknown substance," the PNP said.
 
Murder and frustrated murder charges have been filed against Abrigo's son, Lloyd, whom a shop assistant implicated in the incident, saying he brought a foul-smelling liquid into the store before the incident. 
 
The MPD has also declared the case closed.
 
The younger Abrigo earlier denied the said allegation, and together with his mother said they believe what happened was a case of sabotage. — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/RSJ, GMA News
 
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