CAPAS, Tarlac — Four persons died after downing several glasses of ‘lambanog’. a processed coconut wine popular in Southern Tagalog region, during a drinking session in Barangay Aranguren in this town Wednesday evening, police authorities said.
Supt. Noriel Rombaoa, chief of Capas police, identified the fatalities as father and son Edelito, 69 and Edgardo, 44; cousins Jommel Sicat and a still unidentified victim, all residents at Purok 5 in said village.
Rombaoa said the victims and four others were invited to a drinking spree at the residence of Edgardo early afternoon Wednesday and they parted ways past 3 p.m.
The following day (Thursday Nov 15), both Edgardo and Edelito complained of extreme headache and dizziness that prompted family members to rush them to the Tarlac Provincial Hospital in Tarlac City where both expired moments later.
After a few hours, other drinking buddies identified as Jonasbren Sicat; Rommel Sicat; Erik Torres and Rogelio Salas were rushed to Saint Andrea Diagnostic Center in this town for medical treatment.
SPO1 Aladin Ao-as, investigator on case, said that a certain Randy Tiamzon bought the lambanog from a.local store in Magalang, Pampanga sometime on Nov 2 and kept it for fermentation.
“Kasi habang tumatagal na nakatago ay lalong tumatapang ang alak, ayon sa.paniniwala ng mga manginginom,” Tiamzon told investigators.
Rombaoa directed his men to coordinate with Bureau of Food And Drugs and visit the store where lambanog was acquired to determine if there was indeed contamination of the item.
The COP said he was instructed by Capas mayor Rey Catacutan to dig deeper into the incident so that justice will be served to the victims.
Napag utusan na kami ni mayor ReyCat at pinaiimbestigahan maigi ang pangyayari” said Rombaoa.