On the evening of July 19, 2025, residents of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, were met with an unsettling scene that has since gone viral on social media. At around 7 PM, in Barangay Mandaragat’s New Bungkag area, three young men riding separate motorcycles suddenly stopped, stepped off their bikes, and—within seconds—collapsed to the ground, convulsing violently.

Eyewitnesses say the event was unlike anything they had ever seen in the quiet city, known for its low crime rate and peaceful streets. The boys were shaking uncontrollably, some foaming at the mouth, and one even kicked over a parked motorcycle during his spasms.

At first, people thought it might be a case of heat exhaustion, epilepsy, or even intoxication. Others whispered about something far darker—some suggesting “possession,” while others muttered about dangerous street drugs nicknamed “zombie drugs.”

But this was no ordinary medical episode.

City Councilor and former Barangay Captain Jerry Abad, who happened to be driving by, stopped when he saw a crowd gathering. He quickly noticed something unusual—no signs of an accident, no blood, and no injuries. Yet, strangely, the onlookers hesitated to help.

Emergency responders eventually arrived and rushed the teens to the nearest hospital. Initial examinations revealed no external injuries, and their lab results came back normal.

Then, the first twist emerged.

A local resident named “Jer” recognized one of the motorcycles in the viral video—it was his. Stolen months earlier in May, the bike had mysteriously ended up in the possession of the convulsing teenagers. This discovery linked the bizarre medical incident to an unsolved theft case. Police confirmed the motorcycle’s engine and chassis numbers matched Jer’s stolen vehicle.

As the investigation unfolded, authorities revealed that one of the boys was already a suspect in a recent stabbing incident, while the other two were minors. However, what caused all three to collapse at the same time remained a mystery—until the teens themselves spoke up.

According to their statements, earlier that night, they had stopped at a store to buy cigarettes. A man they knew offered them a black-colored cigarette for ₱10. They shared it, taking turns inhaling. Moments later, while riding, all three began to feel an overwhelming physical reaction—shaking, dizziness, and loss of control—forcing them to pull over. That’s when they collapsed.

Some locals claim the cigarette contained “tuok lao” (also called Nicotiana rustica), a potent form of tobacco commonly used in Vietnam, notorious for its extremely high nicotine content—up to six times stronger than regular cigarettes. When smoked, especially by first-timers, it can cause severe shaking, vomiting, seizures, and even cardiac arrest.

The theory gained traction when Puerto Princesa’s City Information Officer, Richard Ligad, gave a cryptic statement. While refusing to directly confirm the substance, he issued a warning against “using anything you don’t fully know about.” His careful wording only fueled public suspicion that tuok lao was indeed involved.

Whether it was tuok lao or something even more dangerous, one fact is certain—the incident has raised alarm among parents, authorities, and the community. The ease with which such substances can circulate, even in a quiet province, has sparked urgent calls for tighter regulation and investigation.

As the debate continues, one question lingers: Was this simply a reckless experiment gone wrong, or is something far more sinister creeping into the streets of Palawan?