Brothers suffer seizures after using “tuklaw” cigarette in Manila

• Two brothers, aged 17 and 19, collapsed and convulsed after using “black cigarette” or “tuklaw”
• The incident, caught on CCTV, showed one brother fainting before the other also lost control and shook violently
• Barangay officials and police confirmed the drug’s severe side effects, including seizures and hallucinations
• Both were brought to the hospital and have since been discharged, though they have reportedly moved residences

Two brothers were caught on CCTV losing consciousness and experiencing seizures after allegedly smoking a so-called “black cigarette” or “tuklaw” along Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard in Sampaloc, Manila, on Tuesday afternoon, October 7.

Footage from Barangay 424 showed one man suddenly collapsing in the street.

A companion wearing a white shirt rushed to help him but also fell moments later, shaking uncontrollably and rolling on the ground.

After more than 30 minutes, paramedics arrived and rushed the victims to a nearby hospital.

The Manila Police District (MPD) identified the brothers, aged 17 and 19, both residents of Sampaloc. Initial findings revealed that the two had smoked the illegal substance known as “tuklaw.”

Read also

Anti-corruption advocate and former NIA employee shot dead in Cagayan de Oro

“Nag-take sila no’ng tinatawag nating black cigarette o mas kilala sa tawag na 'tuklaw' kung saan meron itong adverse effect na nagkakaroon sila ng tinatawag na seizure,” said P/Maj. Philipp Ines, MPD spokesperson. He added that the drug can cause loss of consciousness and uncontrolled body movements.

Barangay 424 Chairman Angelito Dula, who was among the first responders, described the alarming scene.

“‘Yong isa, ‘yong mata ay nakatirik. Nakakausap pero iba na ‘yong sinasabi,” he recalled, adding that the younger sibling tried to stand but kept shaking.

Before the incident, CCTV footage showed the brothers and two others appearing to engage in a pot session near a convenience store.

Police later confirmed that both brothers have since been discharged from the hospital but have reportedly moved out of their residence.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable to one's daily life. These stories are among those that people would learn from every day.

Read also

Karen Davila amid calamities: “And sources tell us nakapag-F1 pa sa Singapore ang ilang politiko”

In other news, a lawyer was arrested in Quezon City for allegedly duping victims through fake investment offers. She reportedly took ₱140,000 from a couple, promising weekly profits of ₱5,600. Police said she had previously been jailed for a similar case but went into hiding after posting bail. Authorities urge other victims to file complaints to elevate the case to syndicated estafa.

Still in other news, a classroom ceiling at Lapu-Lapu Elementary School in Davao City collapsed during class on October 7, 2025. Approximately 40 Grade 4 students sustained minor injuries but were safely evacuated. The quick execution of the 'duck, cover, and hold' drill by the teacher helped prevent serious harm. School authorities have reported the incident to DepEd and DPWH, and the school has shifted to a blended learning setup.

Source: KAMI.com.gh