MALAPATAN, Sarangani - Local officials have reported several deaths due to measles in 6 remote sitios of a village in this town.

The cases of measles have been reported in Sitios Datal Nai, Alna, Lower Kyogam, Upper Kyogam, Mahayag, and Lino -- all in Barangay Upper Suyan.

Boyet Ogan, Upper Suyan's barangay chairman, said that around 100 people were affected by measles, with 21 identified fatalities. Ogan added that they started to monitor the disease in the village last November 5.

Municipal health officer Diomedes Remitar said they have monitored 17 deaths in 23 different hospitals in the town but they have yet to verify if these were due to measles.

Remitar said they are having difficulties getting information because the sitios where cases of measles were allegedly recorded are remote and would require around 20 hours of trekking.

"Mahirap talaga 'yung daan. Doon kami medyo talagang nahihirapan," he said.

(The road is really difficult. It's really hard to get to.)