ILOILO – A 27-year-old woman died, while 14 others were brought to a hospital over the weekend in Iloilo province allegedly due to food poisoning during a funeral wake.

The lone fatality was identified as Elizabeth Barcillo. Those rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment were Nelia Mabal, Gaudiosa Sumalakay, Justine Senoro, Jane Senoro, Candelaria Senoro, Edwin Martinez, Ponce Tubola, Philip Tubola, Ma. Zenita Tubola, John Eros Tubol, Rowena Serilo, Felix Solinap, Leticia Subong, and Baby Serilo.

The victims allegedly ate “pochero” served to those who attended the wake of a member of the Tubola family in Barangay Balibagan Oeste in Santa Barbara town.

Probers said the victims felt dizzy and some vomited after eating the food served for lunch.

One of the cooks, identified as Nelida Mabala, denied poisoning the victims. She said that she too was taken to a hospital for showing the same symptoms.

Others believe that someone mistook a chemical used in washing clothes as monosodium glutamate and mixed it with the food.

Municipal health officers have yet to confirm the allegation.

In the meantime, a sample of “pochero” was submitted for laboratory examination.