Around 250 Marcos loyalists, who attended the 90th birthday party of former first lady Imelda Marcos, were rushed to nearby hospitals after eating chicken adobo with egg at Ynares Sports in Pasig City on Wednesday.
As of 3 p.m., the Pasig City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said a total of 231 individuals were hospitalized. They said they were expecting the number to rise.
Meanwhile, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said its responders gave first aid to 127 people who experienced symptoms of food poisoning. They reportedly rushed 14 people to the Rizal Medical Center.
It was learned that most of the attendees of the party are senior citizens and die-hard Marcos loyalists.
The 90th birthday party of the former first lady started around 11 a.m., the Eastern Police District (EPD) said.
EPD said the food served to the attendees was chicken adobo with hard boiled egg.
Responders were also told by the attendees that those who experienced vomiting and dizziness ate the said dish.
Authorities said around 2,500 people attended the birthday party of Imelda.
Eight ambulances were dispatched by PRC to give first aid to the victims.
Colonel Rizalito Gapas, Pasig police chief, said that despite the commotion caused by alleged food poisoning, the party of the former first lady still continued.
The police official said the incident will be thoroughly probed by the Pasig City police.
Present during the party were former Senator Bongbong Marcos and newly elected Senator Imee Marcos.
The Marcos family said they will shoulder the hospitalization of their supporters. (Jel Santos)
