Chemical found in pesticides may have been in macapuno candy that downed QC students – expert

The macapuno candies that downed at least nine students in a high school in Quezon City may have contained a chemical found in pesticides.

 

A report on GMA News TV's Balitanghali on Friday quoted the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) as saying that a toxicologist arrived there on Thursday evening to check on the students from Juan Sumulong High School. 
 

The toxicologist said that based on the symptoms showed by the students, the candies may have contained organo phospate.

 

"Dangerous siya kung hindi siya naagapan kasi may direct effect siya sa heart rate natin if you have an intake of organo phospate," QMMC medical officer Dr. Jojo Mercado told reporters.

 

He added: "[Kasama sa symptoms 'yung] nauseated, abdominal pain, the heart rate nag-iiba... Nagkaroon ng irregular heartbeats 'yung mga pasyente."
 

 

The same Balitanghali report said the investigation of the Quezon City Police District Station 7 is also aimed at the man, aged 20-25, who sold the candies.

 

Earlier, the candies from Calauan in Laguna were said to have been given as samples by three men who pretended they were students.

 

The Balitanghali report quoted one of the victims as saying that the man who sold the candies to them was allowed in their class by their student teacher. The man said he was selling the candies to support his schooling.

 

The student interviewed by GMA News said the man looked like a college student, standing 5'8" to 6" tall.

 

Authorities said they are checking the area surrounding the school for a CCTV footage that can help in their investigation.

 

A separate report on GMA News TV's QRT on Friday said the number of victims has risen to 10, with another male student still being monitored in the pediatric ICU. 

 

A female student, who ate 36 pieces or three packs of the candy, is also at the pediatric ICU, where doctors are observing her heart rate. — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/RSJ, GMA News