Possible Outbreak in Evacuation Centers

About 1,500 evacuees at the barangay hall of Diatagon, Linga in Surigao del Sur refused the offer of the local and military officials to return home with military escorts since there was no really no assurance of safety.  The residents evacuated their homes as the soldiers arrived in their communities in pursuit of communist rebels.

Analyn Lumawag, deputy secretary general of Karapatan-Caraga, said an outbreak of disease was feared in the evacuation centers.  At least 69 children suffered from fever, cough, sore eyes and diarrhea.  At least 5 children have been brought to the hospital.  The evacuees were constantly exposed to bad weather and suffered from lack of food supply.