Tuba-tuba downs 24 kids in Camiguin - report

MANILA, Philippines - A tuba-tuba herbal plant downed 24 elementary school pupils in Camiguin who ate it while cleaning a road where President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was to pass through last Wednesday. Radio dzBB reported early Friday that the incident occurred in Mambajao town in Camiguin, where the pupils aged 10 to 12 were cleaning the three-kilometer road. Initial reports reaching the local Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) showed the children while cleaning the road picked up and ate the herbal plant. They soon began to complain of dizziness, vomiting and loose bowel movement, and were rushed to the Camiguin General Hospital. At least 70 schoolchildren participated in the road clearing, supposedly in time for a visit by President Arroyo, according to a separate Sun.Star report. Camiguin was to open its annual Lanzones Festival on Saturday with President Arroyo as guest of honor. - GMANews.TV