Cholera Claims 2 Lives, 500 Infected In Southern RP

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 18, 2008) – An outbreak of cholera had killed two people and infected more than 500 others in the southern Philippines, health officials said Tuesday.

Officials blamed cholera for the outbreak of the epidemic that hit at least 8 villages in the town of Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental province.

Town mayor Paulino Emano has confirmed that two had died from the disease and hundreds more infected in the villages of Mohon, Sihayon, Baluarte, Sta Cruz, Sugbongcogon, Bogoac and Casinglot.

Health authorities have began a series of test of water samples in the villages. Other reports said many of those infected sourced their water from springs. The victims had been rushed to hospital since Sunday after they complained of stomach pains and diarrhea and other symptoms related to cholera. (Mindanao Examiner)

Gunmen seized couple in Southern Philippines

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 7, 2008) – Unidentified gunmen abducted a Filipino couple Friday in Iligan City in the southern Philippines, authorities said.

It said gunmen seized Rosaleho Herbito and his wife Soling in the village of Abuno before noontime and fled onboard the couple’s truck towards Tagoloan town in Lanao del Sur province.

No group claimed responsibility for the latest abduction and authorities are still investigating the motive of the attack. Authorities gave no details about the couple, but the area where they had been seized was previously attacked by Moro rebels. (Mindanao Examiner)