COTABATO CITY: Health officials in Maguindanao del Sur urged residents on Monday to avoid consuming improperly cleaned sea turtle meat following a suspected food poisoning incident that left three dead and 35 others hospitalized in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. According to Philippines News Agency, Dr. Ariff Baguindali, head of the Maguindanao del Sur Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), stated that the victims, members of the Teduray community in Barangay Linao, fell ill after eating cooked sea turtle, or 'pawikan,' on November 26. Dr. Baguindali emphasized the importance of consuming well-cleansed seafood to prevent such incidents. Of the 35 individuals who were treated for food poisoning, only one remains in the hospital while the rest have recovered. Health workers are closely monitoring their condition and are conducting community awareness campaigns to promote food safety practices, Baguindali added. The three fatalities, whose names have been withheld at the request of their fam ilies, were immediately buried in accordance with local customs. Barangay Linao, a coastal village reliant on fishing, frequently consumes a variety of marine species abundant in the area. It is important to note that sea turtles are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which emphasizes their protection as part of global conservation efforts.