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'Katsubong' Turns 11 Persons 'Crazy'
Pubdate: Thu, 15 Jan 2004
Source: Sunstar General Santos (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004, Sunstar
Contact: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/gensan/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2450
Author: Edwin G. Espejo
'KATSUBONG' TURNS 11 PERSONS 'CRAZY'
GENERAL SANTOS -- Two persons ended up detained at the Bula police
precinct early Tuesday after they apparently got 'high' on a cocktail
made out of an intoxicating plant and powdered juice drink.
One other person was declared missing while eight suffered various
degree of "behavioral disorder."
Brought to the police detention center and detained for safekeeping
were Kenneth Garcia and Benito Estrada, who were also handcuffed after
exhibiting violent behavior inside the detention cell.
Missing was a certain Jelmar Orillano who reportedly took a swim at
the beach after experiencing uneasiness after drinking the concoction.
He remains missing as of press time.
Police said the victims gathered several fruits of the 'katsubong
plant' and mixed them with a sachet of 8 O'clock powdered juice drink
Monday evening.
After drinking the potent concoction, the victims reportedly suffered
unusual highs and proceeded to a beach in Bula where they were seen
digging the sand Tuesday dawn.
Katsubong is an eggplant-like plant with a rounded fruit laden with
thorns. It is reportedly a medicinal plant used to cure asthma.
Others who fell ill after drinking the potent cocktail were, Ricky
Quidoc, Edwin Jardinan, Richard Bucao, Allan Las, Lalay Orillano,
Junjun Paman, Junjun Mercado and Gerry Orillano, owner of the house
where the group held its drinking session.
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