Fish dish downs 30 in Masbate - radio reports

(Updated 11:10 a.m.) MANILA, Philippines - A fish dish downed at least 30 residents of Masbate province who ate it for dinner Tuesday, radio reports said Wednesday. Radio dzBB's Rowena Salvacion cited initial police reports indicating the patients were rushed to the Cataingan District Hospital for treatment. The residents, most of them in Poblacion village in Cataingan town, had eaten a fish dish of "rumpe" or "malasugi" shortly before complaining of stomachaches and vomiting. Local health officials said they were to bring samples of the dish to the Department of Health in Manila for analysis. Health authorities are also checking samples of the dish for traces of formalin. Police, on the other hand, are verifying reports that the fishes used in the dish were caught in Samar. As of Wednesday morning, a separate radio report said the residents are now in stable condition. The report quoted a report reaching Cataingan police director Inspector Salvador Retuerma identifying the victims as: • Juanito Baylon, 73; • Lloyd Añonuevo; • Mari Brita Rejuso, 39; • Maria Angelico Rejuso, 18; • Maria Angela Rejuso, 9; • Chito Ibañez; • Nilda Rosales; • Rolly Rosales; • Rodrigo Lim, 84; • Marlyn Añonuevo, 51; • Elsie Maria, 15; • Jenil Sia; • Roilan Capiro, 8; • Lourdes Capiro; • Bethlyn Quitar, 13; • Romeo Quitar, 41; • Alan Capiro, 36; • Amelita Quijano; • Mark Jordan Quijano, 6; • Arlene Quijano, 21; • Linda Añonuevo, 29; • Aldin Añonuevo; • Danilo Lim, 48; • Eleta Costramus, 58; • Carlo Costramus, 12; • Marlon Costramus, 10; • Paolo Reyes; • Shiela Amaro; • Hilaco Español, 63; and • Misael Mojo, 12. The report also said police have confiscated the fish being sold by vendor Alfredo Abilong. The fish used in the dish was bought from him, police said. - GMANews.TV