Nine policemen undergoing the 45-day Special Counter-Insurgency Operations Unit Training in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, were rushed to the hospital for treatment after experiencing heatstroke and dehydration symptoms during the weekend.

Sr. Insp. Dexter Calacar, training manager of the Regional Special Training Unit 7 of the Philippine National Police in Region 7, said the police officers, whose names were withheld, experienced headache, restlessness, dizziness, and even strange behavior, like screaming.

The PNP SCOUT Class 30-12, with 151 trainees, all with the rank of police officer 1, had returned to base at Camp Herman Carballo in Nagbagang, Sta. Catalina town, after their daily jogging routine from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, when the nine complained of headache and dizziness, Calacar said.

They were brought to the Bayawan District Hospital, while one of them was transferred to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in Dumaguete City, after he came down with diarrhea and demonstrated “aggressive” behavior.

The nine have recovered and will resume training today, Calacar added.

He said that, aside from the scorching heat of the sun, other factors that may have contributed to the incident were the insufficient supply of drinking water, following the failure of a private water delivery company to supply the needs of the trainees.

Calacar said it is not unusual for trainees to develop heatstroke symptoms since they are exposed to strenuous activities and vigorous physical exertion under the sun as part of the training.

But he said the twice-a-day jogging for the trainees will be reduced to one in the morning when the temperature is still tolerable.

The class will graduate in the last week of May, Calacar added.*JFP

back to top