OCD: At least 3 hospitalized in Baguio school quake drill

At least three students were brought to a hospital following an earthquake drill at a public high school in Baguio City Friday, but disaster management officials clarified the injuries were not drill-related.

Office of Civil Defense Cordillera head Andrew Alex Uy said one was already feeling sick before the drill while two sustained injuries due to fighting.

"Yung dinala sa ospital hindi drill-related. Ang isa, talagang maysakit siya. Pinapunta sa clinic at pinapunta sa ospital dahil may mga rashes na," Uy said in an interview on dzBB radio.

"Itong dalawang tinakbo, nagsuntukan kaya nadiretso rin sa ospital, may sugat sila na dapat gamutin," he added.

He also said reports of at least 20 students, all of the Baguio City National High School, being hurt were not true, though he said some students felt dizzy.

An earlier report by state-run Philippines News Agency said as many as 54 students were hurt as more than 600 students supposedly panicked.

The PNA cited initial police investigation showing three students were rushed to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) for treatment.

It added 21 were treated at the school clinic for bruises and sprains while 30 others were assisted by responding rescue teams.

The PNA also said the drill was a surprise one, though Uy said teachers had been briefing the students about it since early this week.

"Since Monday to Wednesday, gumagawa na ng pre-drill. Alam ng estudyante magkakaroon ng drill ngayong araw," he said.

However, he also admitted they may need to refine an evacuation plan in the future.

"Siguro dapat may evacuation plan para lahat na concern ma-address natin sa plan," he said. — VVP, GMA News