91 police trainees hospitalized for diarrhea

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – Ninety-one police trainees attending a public safety seminar were rushed to the hospital after suffering from abdominal pains and diarrhea in Surigao City on Friday.

Superintendent Daniel Peusca, director of the Caraga police, said yesterday they have yet to receive the result of laboratory tests conducted on the trainees.

Peusca expressed belief the illness could be due to contamination in the water supply or food served at the training center located in Barangay Lipata.

Reports said 50 trainees initially sought the help of the city quick action response team, which brought them to the Caraga Regional Hospital at past 6 p.m.

Minutes later, the 41 others who received first aid at the training center, were also brought to the same hospital.

Twenty-seven of the trainees were confined while 64 were discharged after receiving treatment.

The incident is being investigated by the police and the city health office.