53 sickened by suspected poisoned lunch in Philippines - Lifestyle News

MANILA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 53 people fell ill, 28 of whom were hospitalized, after eating suspected poisoned lunch at a gathering in a small central Philippine city, local media reported Thursday.

The victims, mostly government officials in charge of senior citizens affairs in Roxas city of Capiz province, started to complain about stomach pains and loose bowel movement after eating lunch served at a gathering on Wednesday, local TV news network GMA News said.

The report said at least 28 people have been hospitalized but it did not mention whether any one was in serious conditions.

Local health officials are probing whether the food they ate were was spoiled or contaminated, the report said.

A separate local radio report added that officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development have also been deployed to assist the patients.