ORMOC CITY?Twenty five military trainees were rushed to the hospital here on Saturday due to suspected food poisoning.

The trainees of the 802nd Infantry Brigade based in this city were weak from severe stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea when they were brought to the hospital starting on Saturday afternoon, said Dr. Noel Maico of the Ormoc District Hospital (ODH).

Maico said the trainees were believed to have suffered from food poisoning or gastroenteritis but this could not be confirmed until the results on laboratory tests made on the patients were released.

Lt. Jimson Masangkay, the commanding officer of the 802nd IB Training Model, said those who were taken ill were among the trainees took part in a bloodletting activity on Saturday before they had lunch that consisted of chicken with sotanghon (vermicelli noodle) that they themselves prepared.

By mid-afternoon of Saturday, several trainees started to have severe stomach cramps and diarrhea and by 7:30 p.m., 25 out of the 193 trainees were confined at ODH.

Masangkay said many others, who suffered diarrhea, felt better after getting first aid.

Masangkay said officials have yet to determine why only 25 got sick considering that all 193 trainees drank the same water and ate the same food for lunch.

The trainees were on the third week of their 12-week military training at the 802nd IB, Masangkay said.