MASBATE — Three members of a family in Masbate died after eating pufferfish, while five others survived but were hospitalized, according to local officials and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The victims consumed the fish, locally known as butete or tikong, during a family meal in Barangay Maihao, Cawayan.

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, a single mother of four. The husband reportedly bought the pufferfish from a fisherman near a port, unaware of its deadly toxicity.

Shortly after eating the fish, the family members began experiencing severe symptoms, including numbness, difficulty breathing, and paralysis. They were rushed to the Cawayan District Hospital, where three were declared dead on arrival. Five others, including children, survived after receiving immediate medical treatment.

BFAR Region 5 quickly issued a public advisory warning residents against consuming pufferfish, stressing that it contains tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin that can cause death even in small amounts. “Tetrodotoxin attacks the nervous system and can lead to numbness, paralysis, and eventually death,” the agency explained.

Local authorities said the incident highlights the dangers of eating certain types of fish found in Philippine waters. Pufferfish is considered a delicacy in some countries but requires specialized preparation to remove toxic parts, a practice not common in local communities.

Community members expressed grief over the tragedy, noting that the victims were well-known in the barangay. The incident has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of food safety regulations and better public awareness campaigns about the risks of consuming toxic marine species.

Officials urged residents to avoid buying or eating pufferfish altogether, emphasizing that the risks far outweigh any perceived benefits. The survivors remain under observation at the hospital, while the barangay continues to mourn the loss of three of its residents.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the lethal consequences of consuming unsafe marine products and underscores the importance of vigilance in food safety practices across coastal communities.