'Food poisoning' downs 17 pupils in Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY —At least 17 elementary pupils in Mlang town, Cotabato were rushed to a hospital after eating dinner at a summer peace camp last Wednesday, a local official said.

Mlang Vice Mayor Joselito Piñol said pupils from the Palma Perez Elementary School experienced stomach ache, vomiting, and loose vowel movement, minutes after eating packed food that was supposed to be served earlier during breakfast.

Piñol said that since the dinner was to be served late, the teacher decided to serve unconsumed pack food intended for breakfast.

"They have separate food for dinner. They were not supposed to eat the food that was intended for the morning," Piñol pointed out.

According to him, 14 of the 17 affected pupils have already been discharged from the Mlang District Hospital. The remaining three are still under observation.

Last Wednesday, thousands of Grade 4 and 5 pupils from public schools in Mlang gathered at the Mlang Pilot Elementary School for a three-day peace camp initiated by the provincial government.

Vice Mayor Piñol ordered the town's health official to closely monitor the health condition of the three pupils who are still in the hospital. —LBG, GMA News