THOUGH still in a state of shock and grieving, the wife of a 54-year-old man who died after eating puffer fish in Barangay Liburon, Carcar City, said that she has accepted the fate of her husband, Federito Solon.
Solon’s wife, Gloria, said the incident should serve as a lesson not only to her family but to all Liburon residents who have grown accustomed to eating puffer fish.
Federito died this week after eating “bihod” or the eggs of a “panabugan,” a type of puffer fish. Seven of his companions were also brought to the Carcar Provincial Hospital for medical attention.
About four kilos of the fish were given by a local fisherman to Federito and his neighbors who then used it to cook “linarang”, a sour and spicy seafood stew.
After eating the fish eggs in the soup, the victims later complained of dizziness, chest pains and shortness of breath. They also had swollen faces.
“Igo nalang ta ani sa pagmahay, pero ako nalang dawaton. Sakit lang kay para nako, dili pa g’yud unta siya angay mamatay,” 57-year-old Gloria said.
(All I can do is feel regret but I will just have to accept even though it’s painful because he shouldn’t have died.)
Gloria revealed that aside from her husband and the seven others brought to the hospital, there were others who experienced the same symptoms after eating the fish but refused to seek medical attention.
They instead chose to drink coconut milk and eat sugar to counter the puffer fish’ toxins, she said.
Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura, said the city will shoulder Federito’s burial expenses and provide financial help to his family through their Aid to Individual in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Dr. Allan Poquita, regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 7 has warned the public against eating any kind of puffer fish as this contains poisonous substances that may harm humans and even result to death.