SunStar: 16 students ‘possessed’ in Benguet school

Fear gripped a town in Benguet province after supposed disturbed spirits “possessed" some 16 students at a high school there last week. Sun-Star Baguio (www.sunstar.com.ph) reported Wednesday that the school’s head and the local government tried to allay the fears of parents, claiming the situation is “manageable." The 16 students were rushed to a nearby church last week after they turned “hysterical" for unknown reasons, prompting the school and local officials to suspend classes. School and local officials also sought assistance from religious groups and elders in the town. Tuba town mayor Florencio Bentrez and Tuba National High School Extension principal Macarthy Malanes dismissed the fears of students and their parents regarding the alleged “possession." Regular classes were to resume Wednesday. Bentrez advised teachers that if another “possession" occurs, the affected students should be isolated at once to minimize panic. Bentrez encouraged the students to continue attending classes, saying the local government is exerting all its effort to address the concern. Malanes said the problem began late last month when some students of a first year class started fainting. Believing that the condition was due to the overcrowded room that accommodated 70 students, the school’s administration split the class into two sections. But Malanes said the situation continued, which affected 16 students. He did not admit that the students were possessed, saying they were only “hysterical." Those who were affected have undergone counseling as the church prayed for them, Malanes said. For their part, elders held an indigenous ritual to appease the spirits who are reportedly complaining of being disturbed by the construction of a two-storey school building. They offered a pig, a dog, and native chicken during the ritual held in the school on Friday. “There is nothing wrong in holding an indigenous ritual. We are just doing all means to end this problem," said Bentrez, who personally witnessed the incident. Bentrez and school officials assured students and their parents that the school is safe. Parents of those who were allegedly possessed were told to accompany their kids to school. - GMANews.TV