10 Manobo tribesmen dead in Davao del Norte

DAVAO CITY—At least 10 members of the Talaingod-Manobo tribe, including a tribal leader, died from what could be fatal cases of diarrhea, which has been sweeping lumad communities in Davao del Norte province since last month, according to a nongovernment organization.

Sagipp Network, an organization that provides educational and health assistance to lumad communities, said 20 sub-villages in the town of Talaingod has been hit by a diarrhea outbreak.

Initial reports said that 3,100 people have so far been taken ill. They are also suffering from pneumonia and other viral infections.

Majority of the disease-stricken residents are elderly and children, the group said.

Among those who died was Datu Gumbil Mansimuy-at who has a significant role in the council of tribal leaders in the Pantaron mountain range.

Gumbil died on Thursday while his 3-year-old child died the following day.

The tribal leader had been in the limelight this year when he granted a series of media interviews about the plight of the Manobo people. —KARLOS MANLUPIG