At least 26 students fainted simultaneously in what authorities suspect was a case of “mass hysteria” during class hours at a school in Cagayan de Oro City.

A woman said she witnessed her 14-year-old daughter, alias “Julia,” suddenly becoming unusually strong, speaking in a strange, stronger voice and even laughing while being prayed over when she arrived at the Balubal National High School in Barangay Balubal.

“Grabe naman ka kusgan lahi naman iyang tingog lahi-lahi naa kuno iyang gakakita nga mga itom taas kuno og buhok nga itom ug naa pud kuno bata gusto kuno siya kuhaon unya katong bata maoy makigdula kaniya,” alias Julia’s mother said.

After the incident, Julia said she felt pain throughout her body. She recalled trying to comfort other students before losing consciousness herself and remembered nothing after she collapsed.

“Ako dayun ang nisunod pagka-iliwitan dayun wala nakoy nahinumduman kato pagbalik nako sa akong pagka-normal. Wala na dayun koy nahinumduman, nakita dayun nako akong lawas nga luya na dayun kaayo dayun akong kamot daghan kayog samad kinambras sa mga maestra kay grabe na daw ilang pugong nako,” Julia said.

Julia, her family, and other students affected believe they may have been possessed by an evil spirit.

However, the Department of Education (DepEd) said the incident matched the symptoms of “mass hysteria” or mass psychogenic illness.

DepEd said of the 26 affected, one was male while the rest were female.

“Pag ang mga bata usually maka-experience sila common ani nga cause is stressor kay stressed ang bata, psychological stress usually personal ba na niya nga factor or sa family ba gikan o sa school or sa iyang mga friends and then naa’y mga physical manifestation gyud sa bata like makulbaan o magkurog,” Dr. Baldomero Mark Meso of the DepEd Cagayan de Oro City Division Medical Office said.

The Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro also confirmed that the incident has been referred to Chief Exorcist Rev. Fr. Roberto Jun Balsamo for investigation.

Barangay officials also said this was the first time that such incident had occurred in their area.

During the incident, barangay health workers responded quickly to assist the students, who were taken to health centers and hospitals. All those affected have since been discharged and are now in stable condition.

“Dasigon nato ang atong mga kabataan unya i-full monitor nato ang atong mga kabataan panahon sa paghatod sa eskwela or pag-uli sa eskwela monitoron gyud nato kay ato man gyud na responsible ang atong mga anak,” Barangay Chairman Pablo Bactong said.