The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Sibalom in the Province of Antique has investigated on a farmer for alleged spraying of insecticide at a rice field that made at least 29 individuals, mostly students, ill.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Antique confirmed that at least 29 persons, mostly students, fell ill after smelling fumes of a yet unidentified chemical in Barangay Egaña, Sibalom town.

The vapors smelled reportedly like that of guavas, PDRRMO said based on accounts gathered from affected students on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

As of this writing, five students have remained confined at the hospital, according to the Province of Antique.

Face-to-face classes at Egaña National High School and Egaña Elementary School have also remained suspended.

The Department of Education Antique has not issued a statement yet on the resumption of in-person classes.

“Under investigation na ang isang farmer doon na nag-spray. Wala pa kaming natatanggap na report mula sa pulis kung siya talaga ang culprit sa pagsingaw ng amoy ng pinaniniwalaang insecticide,” according to Broderick Train, head of Antique PDRRMO.