A total of 12 Badjao children have been rushed to the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital after experiencing symptoms of amoebiasis including severe stomach pain and loose bowel movement, according to the Dauis Health Office (MHO).

The latest batch of children which was taken to the hospital was on Tuesday while the first case was recorded on February 1, said an official of the Dauis MHO who spoke on condition of anonymity.

According to the MHO employee, the patients are aged three to six and are residents of Purok 3, Barangay Totolan, Dauis.

There had been no water supply in the area prompting some of the residents to buy drinking water from a house near the United Church of Christ of the Philippines in Barangay Poblacion 2, the source added.

However, the MHO is still uncertain if the purchased drinking water caused the illness experienced by the children as authorities continue to conduct an investigation on the cases.

For her part, Dauis Mayor Miriam Sumaylo has extended financial aid to the families of the Badjao patients. (R. Tutas)