Police urge FDA: Immediately test sample of ‘deadly’ milk tea in Manila

Alleging that the Food and Drug Administration has been requiring "too much" just to do a lab test on the sample of the milk tea believed to have caused the deaths of two people in Manila, the police on Saturday urged the FDA to undertake the test immediately.

According to a report on GMA News TV's Balitanghali on Saturday, the Manila Police District admitted having difficulties coordinating with the FDA in doing the testing procedure.

It said the sample has yet to be tested two days after the supposed poisoning incident due to FDA's  "requirements."

It said the FDA demanded "too much," adding that the sample needs to be tested right away while it is fresh.

For his part, FDA officer-in-charge Nicolas Lutero III confirmed they have received the sample from the police, but some requirements are needed before a laboratory test could be conducted.

Some of the requirements include a medical abstract, a narrative of what happened, and the symptoms shown by the victims, Lutero said.

Knowing the symptoms is necessary in determining the reason for the supposed poisoning incident, he added.

Nevertheless, he said the FDA already started the testing process of the sample and the results would be released in one or two days.

Clean throat

Citing results of the autopsy of the victims, a police source told GMA News that one of the victims, William Abrigo, had "clean throat" – which could mean no extremely toxic chemical such as sulfur nitrate or cyanide had passed through the throat area.

Also, the police source said the victim's stomachs need to be examined to determine the substance that caused the deaths.

On Thursday, Suzanne Dagohoy and Arnold Aydalla bought their drinks at Ergo Cha, a milk tea shop in Bustillos, Sampaloc at 11 a.m.

Aydalla complained of the "unpleasant taste" in his drink and made Dagohoy taste it before bringing it to the attention of the shop wner, William Abrigo, who personally prepared the couple's order, the report said.

After receiving the complaint, Abrigo reportedly inserted a sipping straw into the drink to taste it for himself.

Witnesses said Dagohoy collapsed first, her mouth frothing, shortly after leaving the store. Aydalla experienced the same thing, as did Abrigo, who succumbed a few minutes later.

The three were rushed to the Ospital ng Sampaloc, where Dagohoy and Abrigo died. Aydalla is still being treated.

Palace waiting for further results

On Saturday morning, an official said Malacañang is waiting for the results of further investigation into the milk tea incident.

"We'd wait for further results of the investigation before we make any comment. I don't want to take the results as they seem on the surface," Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte
said on government-run dzRB radio.

Also, she said it is too early at this time to comment on the matter. — Amanda Fernandez/LBG, GMA News