FOUR tricycle drivers have died and 13 others were hospitalized after downing six liters of coconut wine, widely known as lambanog, in Novaliches, Quezon City.
Superintendent Rossel Cejas, QC Police Station 4 commander, identified the fatalities as Delfin Bangayon, Dennis Cuadra, 37; Alvin Reyes, 42; and Crispulo Mateo Jr., 43.
Based on the death certificates of the first three fatalities, they died due to cardiopulmonary arrest.
The cause of death of the fourth fatality has yet to be ascertained.
The victims held a meeting on Nov. 30 at the house of Romeo Mateo, president of the San Bartolome Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, in Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches.
While preparing gifts for their Christmas party, the victims decided to drink the lambanog they bought from a neighbor.
The next day, Dec. 1, they returned to consume the remaining lambanog inside a plastic mineral water container.
The following day, the victims complained of severe stomach pain, prompting their relatives to bring them to Novaliches District Hospital.
That same day, Delfin Bangayon died while undergoing treatment.
Cuadra and Reyes died on Dec. 3 while Crispulo Mateo Jr. passed away on Dec. 4 at East Avenue Medical Center.
Police are looking into possible liquor poisoning as cause of the deaths.
Meanwhile, 13 other tricycle drivers are undergoing treatment at East Avenue Medical Center.
Police said the lambanog was bought from Lerma Soriano, who purchased it during her visit in Candelaria, Quezon.
Cejas said they are still awaiting the results of the laboratory test to determine if there was foul play involved. (Alexandria San Juan)
