POISONED. Several schoolchildren of the Mirab Elementary School in Upi town, Maguindanao del Norte province were rushed to the Datu Blah Sinsuat District Hospital in Barangay Poblacion due to exposure to insecticides on Wednesday (May 10, 2023). At least 75 schoolchildren of the school were brought to the hospital following the incident. (Photo courtesy of Upi resident Salembai Guilano)
COTABATO CITY – A powerful insecticide sprayed on coconut trees at the back of an elementary school at Barangay Mirab in Upi town, Maguindanao province was suspected to have poisoned around 75 schoolchildren on Wednesday morning.
Upi Mayor Rona Piang-Flores said the victims were pupils of Mirab Elementary School, who are now confined at the Datu Blah Sinsuat District Hospital in Barangay Poblacion.
“Many are now stable, but physicians suggested they remain under observation in the health facility,” Flores said in a radio interview,.
“Our investigation showed that a farmer sprayed insecticide early Wednesday in the coconut plantation at the back of the school,” Flores said.
The schoolchildren complained of severe stomach pain, dizziness, and started vomiting less than an hour after they entered their classrooms.
Teachers and parents hurriedly rushed the schoolchildren at past 8 a.m. to the hospital following the incident.
Flores said she immediately ordered an investigation of the incident and directed the municipal social welfare office to extend aid to the affected children and their families. (PNA)
