Three Lives Lost: Poisoning from Endangered Sea Turtle Stew in the Philippines

Three individuals have died, with over thirty others hospitalized following the consumption of sea turtle stew in Maguindanao del Norte Province.

Three people have tragically died and at least 32 others are hospitalized following the consumption of a stew made from a protected sea turtle in a seaside community in Maguindanao del Norte Province, Philippines. Officials reported that numerous members of the indigenous Teduray community displayed serious symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal spasms after eating the dish, prepared as adobo—a popular Filipino recipe combining meat with vinegar and soy sauce.

Despite sea turtles being classified as endangered and the hunting and consumption of them being prohibited under Philippine environmental laws, this culinary tradition persists in some local cultures. These turtles can accumulate toxins from contaminated algae, making them dangerous to eat even if they appear healthy. Local official Irene Dillo highlighted the tragedy, noting that some pets fed with the same sea turtle also succumbed to similar health issues.

The affected residents hail from Datu Blah Sinsuat, a coastal area known for its rich seafood offerings, including lobsters and various fish. "It is unfortunate," Dillo lamented, emphasizing that there are many safer seafood alternatives available. Most of the hospitalized individuals have since been discharged, while the three deceased were buried immediately in accordance with local customs.

Datu Mohamad Sinsuat Jr, a local councillor, has urged community leaders to enforce stricter regulations against hunting sea turtles to prevent such incidents from recurring. It is noteworthy that in 2013, a similar case was reported in Eastern Samar Province, where four people died after consuming sea turtle meat. The ongoing challenges of balancing cultural practices with conservation laws remain critical in preventing future tragedies.