Poisoned milk tea snuffs out couple’s dream of lifetime together

Kind, hardworking, and full of joy. This was how Arnold Aydalla described his girlfriend, 28-year-old Suzanne Dagohoy. The two were already planning to spend a lifetime together until an apparently poisoned milk tea drink cost Dagohoy her life.

Aydalla and Dagohoy bought milk tea at the Ergo Cha in Sampaloc, Manila at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

Aydalla pointed out the unpleasant taste of the Hokkaido milk tea they ordered. Thirsty, Dagohoy proceeding to drink and later collapsed with her mouth frothing.

"Masama po talaga ang lasa niya. Sinabi ko po siya kay Suzanne. Si Suzanne po tinikman din. Pagsubo ko po ng candy sa kanya, ayun po, bigla nalang natumba," he said "24 Oras".

Aydalla said he tried to help his girlfriend, but he also could not move as if he was paralyzed.

"Pinilit ko po na maigalaw po talaga ang katawan ko kasi nga po si Suzanne iniisip ko," he said.

The two were rushed to the hospital, but Dagohoy was already declared dead on arrival.

According to initial reports, the drinks were prepared by the owner of the shop, William Abrigo. After being told of the drink's funny taste, he also took a sip. Abrigo suffered the same symptoms and also died.

Dagohoy's family refused to be interviewed about her passing.

Her loved ones don't have plans to file a case against the milk tea shop yet but the Public Attorney's Office visited them earlier to offer legal assistance. The owners have also reached out to them to offer assistance.

The PAO insisted that a thorough investigation was necessary since it involves public interest.

"Bagamat gusto nila makipag-settle later, sana magkaroon muna ng thorough investigation kasi kahit sino puwede maging biktima dito lalo na 'yung may-ari mismo nalason din," said PAO chief Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta.



Not an ordinary case of food poisoning?

Doctors said that the incident may not be an ordinary case of food poisoning, saying one of the ingredients of the milk tea could have been contaminated with poisonous chemicals. That one of the ingredients was already expired was also raised as a possibility.

"Kaya nga lahat ng mga food items may expiration date 'yan. Kasi, ang food items, they contain chemicals na puwedeng magkaroon ng reaction 'pag masyadong matagal na or puwedeng ma-contaminate," PAO's Forensic Lab director Dr. Erwin Erfe said.

He said shop owners should check how the ingredients of drinks were stored since milk is prone to contamination and early expiration if not stored properly. —Trisha Macas/NB, GMA News