The death of a 2-year-old in Brgy. Bacuyangan, Hinobaan, reportedly for food poisoning, was blamed by health authorities on the cyanide substance content of cassava (kamoteng kahoy or balinghoy) that she and her two brothers had eaten on Feb. 20.

Regina Sobing-Sobing, 2, died, while her two brothers, Rommel, 7, and Eric, 4, survived after being treated at  the Eleuterio Decena Memorial Hospital in Hinobaan, for food poisoning.

Their mother, Teresa, said she got the “kamoteng kahoy” at the Bacuyangan public market, and cooked it for their dinner.

Unknown to her, the three minors took turns in eating the cassava, while it was only half-cooked.

The three minors who were complaining of dizziness, were immediately brought to the hospital in Hinobaan. Unfortunately, Regina died.

Dr. Rodrigo Cubid, chief of the Eleuterio Decena Memorial Hospital, in a text message to ABS-CBN, said the cyanide substance in the half-cooked cassava had caused the death of Regina.

Nino Sobing-Sobing, father of the minors, vowed never to serve cassava to his children again.*GPB

back to top