Pufferfish poisoning

A family dinner turned tragic in Barangay Maihao, Cawayan, Masbate, when three members of one family died after eating pufferfish. Barangay Chairman Keen Stanley Ynot confirmed that the deceased include a 53-year-old man, his 50-year-old wife, and their 33-year-old niece. According to Ynot, the husband bought the pufferfish, locally known as butete or tikong, from a fisherman near a port. While the family had safely consumed pufferfish in the past when prepared by the husband, this was reportedly the first time the wife had prepared the meal. Investigations suggest the fish was not cleaned properly, leaving lethal toxins intact.