Three people died after eating pawikan in in Maguindanao del Norte. Courtesy: Datu Mohamad Sinsuat JrMANILA -- Three people died and 28 others were hospitalized, all from the Teduray indigenous tribe, after eating a sea turtle in the town of Datu Blah Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte last Monday, November 25.

Based on the reports from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the fatalities of the incident were a 68-year old man and his 48-year old son, as well as a 56-year old man.

Among those hospitalized were six minors and two pregnant women.

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MDRRM officer Irene Dillo said the affected residents bought the pawikan for P300 and cooked the turtle in adobo style for their lunch, not knowing that it was potentially toxic. 

"Eater na kasi sila ng sea turtle, pero that time, 'yun lang nila nakita ang nasabing turtle na red daw yung shell. Hindi na kasi namin maklaro ang shell kasi sinunog nila dahil sa inis," Dillo told ABS-CBN News. 

Those who ate the pawikan experienced locked jaw, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach-ache, and were rushed to the Lebak District Hospital. 

Dillo said even the dogs, cats, and chickens that ate the pawikan died. 

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Authorities warned the residents not to eat wildlife, especially the endangered or threatened species. 

"Actually pinagbabawal na sa buong Datu Blah at saka ng barangay captain ang pagkain ng pawikan and other extinct species sa dagat. Pero hindi naman kaya natin i-monitor lahat kasi dati na daw nila itong kinakain eh," Dillo said.