Philippines: Three dead and dozens sick after eating sea turtle stew

Three people have died and at least 32 others were hospitalised in the Philippines after consuming an endangered sea turtle cooked in a stew.

According to a BBC report, the incident took place during a celebration in Barangay Linao, a town in Maguindanao del Norte province, where locals began experiencing food poisoning symptoms, including diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal spasms, after consuming the dish last week.

While hunting and eating sea turtles is illegal under the Philippines' environmental laws, some communities continue to treat the marine creatures as a delicacy. Local officials explained that the sea turtle was cooked as adobo—a popular Filipino stew made with meat and vegetables simmered in soy sauce and vinegar.

Irene Dillo, a local official, told the BBC that some animals, including dogs, cats, and chickens, that had eaten the same sea turtle also died. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the deaths. Dillo expressed regret over the tragedy, noting that residents typically rely on seafood such as lobsters and fish, which are abundant in their village.

The majority of the hospitalised residents have since been discharged, while the three fatalities were buried according to local customs.

Datu Mohamad Sinsuat Jr., a local councillor, has instructed officials to enforce stricter bans on sea turtle hunting in the region, vowing that this food poisoning incident will not happen again.

Despite being protected under Philippine law, sea turtles are still hunted in some communities for their flesh and eggs, which are believed to have medicinal properties.