Three people died while 32 others were hospitalized after they allegedly ate the meat of a poisonous turtle in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

According to the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO)-Maguindanao, several residents had a meal together on November 25, 2024, and cooked the turtle meat they bought for different dishes, including ‘adobo,’ ‘inihaw,’ and ‘ginataan.’

After a few hours, those who ate the dishes reportedly experienced stomachache, vomiting, and dizziness.

However, they were brought to the hospital only starting November 26 until December 1, 2024.

IPHO said three men, all relatives, were declared dead upon arrival at the rural health unit and at the Lebak District Hospital.

Out of the 32 who were brought to the hospital, including some minors, only one patient remained while the rest have been discharged, as of this writing.

IPHO said the victims may have eaten a new species of turtle.

The office said it appeared that the intestinal parts of the turtle had the most potent toxin as those who ate these parts were the ones who died.

“Usual naman daw na ginagawa ito noon kaya lang this time…noon kasi, ang pawikan kulay greenish ang shell, so ngayon, parang brownish red yung variety ng species na nakain nila tapos, sabi sa investigation natin, yung namatay, ito yung kumain ng intestinal parts ng pawikan. Most probably, doon sa intestinal part, mukhang medyo toxic,” IPHO-Maguindanao Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Mohammad Ariff Baguindali, said.

IPHO added that it was the first reported case of alleged poisoning due to eating turtle meat in the province.

“Sa Pilipinas, wala tayong testing capacity to identify the chemical or the poison present doon sa pawikan. Sa US lang kasi ginagawa yan, so sa end natin, dito sa BARMM Province, advise din ng national (office) is to observe and treat accordingly lang,” Baguindali added.

The local government and the Ministry of Health-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have already extended medical assistance to the residents affected.

Police and health authorities have also worked together in the campaign against the consumption of turtle, which is considered endangered species.

“For now, hindi muna natin i-advise ang ating community to consume yung mga extraordinary na pagkain, especially ngayon sa karagatan natin na medyo polluted at saka maraming toxic na nangyayari,” Baguindali said.

“Endangered at extinct na po yan. Ipinagbabawal po ng ating DENR, makipag-cooperate lang po ang ating constituents para sa kaligtasan lang din nating lahat,” Police Regional Office-BAR Spokesperson, Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura added.

The Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of IPHO-Maguindanao and the police conducted an investigation to determine what kind of turtle the residents have eaten, and where and who sold it.