POLICE temporarily detained the owner of an eatery that sold flavored shake that downed 16 students and a mother from Don Francisco S. Dizon Elementary School (DFSDES) on Friday, June 19.
Davao City Police Office spokesperson Senior Inspector Milgrace Driz identified the owner of the eatery as Robert John Arcales, a businessman and a resident of Garcia Heights in Davao City.
"The San Pedro police temporarily withheld Mr. Arcales while we are waiting for the laboratory test result conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) on the shake sold outside the school," Driz said.
Driz said Arcales can be charged with violation of the Republic Act 10611 or The Food Safety Regulatory System in the Country to Protect Consumer Health, and Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Physical Injuries, once he is proven guilty.
The victims were identified as Christian Camay, Jersel Sulpot, John Ivan Salazar, James Lomotos, Xyril Jay Olores, Carlo James Dacut, Sharyl Ann Juanillo, Ma. Nica Angela Mercado, Jureana Salino Untulan, Mae Tagalog, Mercy Grace Carillo, Danica Olayer, Sally Tambis, Mae Albiso, Vinzon Peñero General, Monique Margaratte Abude, and Lordney Sato.
The school guidance counselor Virginia Beronilla said the students suffered stomach ache, nausea, and vomiting after they drank a bubble gum-flavored shake during lunch.
"Ang mga bata pag-inom wa kauyon sa lasa, ana pa lain lagi daw og lami mao to gipatilaw sa ilang klasmeyt mao to na tanang nakatilaw gipangdala sa ospital (The kids who bought the shake did not like the taste so they had their other classmates taste the shake too. So everyone who tasted the shake were ones brought to the hospital)," Beronilla said.
The 17 victims, who were at Southern Philippines Medical Center and Davao Medical School Foundation Inc., are still under observation as of this posting Sunday, June 20. (With reports from Superbalita)