Surigao del Sur governor prohibits ambulant vendors to sell in schools 

After hundreds of students were hospitalized because of eating durian and mangosteen candies in Surigao del Sur, Governor Johnny Pimentel barred ambulant vendors to sell in schools. 

 

"Nag-issue na tayo ng memorandum sa lahat ng eskwelahan that the ambulant vendors ng kahit anong product are prohibited na magbenta," Pimentel said in an interview with GMA News TV's News To Go on Monday morning. 

 

 

Pimentel added that the 12 suspects who sold the candies were in a L300 van. Eight of them have been arrested and faced inquest proceedings earlier in the day.
 

"What is alarming is iyong binentahan nila, puro mga grade school and high school. Wala silang binentang candies sa sari-sari stores or groceries. Puro eskwelahan po ang binentahan nila," the governor said. 

 

The suspects are facing reckless imprudence resulting to physical injury, violation of Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines and Republic Act 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013. 

 

He added that authorities have also reached out to the manufacturer of the candies who was identified as Janet Aquino. The candies were from Davao City. 

 

"We invited her for questioning however ayaw pa niyang magpa-question dahil according to her ay ikokonsulta pa niya sa abogado," he said. 

 

The governor said he wants charges to be filed against Aquino but the prosecutors are still studying the possible cases against her. 

 

Pimentel also said that samples of the candies have been sent to the Department of Health. Results will be released after five to seven days. 

 

He added that the candies may have traces of bacteria since the suspects repack them before selling them in schools. — Tricia Macas/RSJ, GMA News