20 Davao students 'possessed'

DAVAO CITY -- At least 20 fourth year female students of the Crossing Bayabas National High School were believed to have been possessed by some spirits when they broke out in hysterics around 8:45 a.m. Monday.

The students of the national high school were attending the inauguration of their new building when the girls started writing and screaming, and fighting against restraining hands of friends, faculty members, faith healers, and religious leaders.

Some believed that the incident happened because three talisay trees, where the evil spirits said to have lived, were cut down for the new building.

DAVAO. A student is restrained by a faith healer who carries with him a bottle of oil and herbs as students, teachers, and residents had to contend with the hysterics of at least 20 fourth year high school girls of Crossing Bayabas National High School in what is believed to have been a possession of some spirits on Monday. (King Rodriguez)

Chief Inspector Anghel Sumagaysay, chief of the Toril Police Station, said they were having a meeting when they were informed about the claimed “demonic possession.”

"Wala man hinuoy nasakitan sa maong panghitabo (No one was hurt in the incident)," Sumagaysay said.

Religious leaders of different denominations in the area were among the first to respond, saying prayers out loud as the girls screamed and tried to escape the restraining hands of those surrounding them.

There were those who were carrying bottles of oil and herbs while one even sprinkled salt on one of the screaming girls.

According to police, the students were sent home accompanied by their parents at 11:30 a.m. Monday.

A psychiatrist, in a radio interview, refused to believe that it was a possession of spirits and would rather say that the girls may have been undergoing some stress that led them into a mass hysteria.

On August 2011, 56 students of Compostela National High School were also allegedly possessed by evil spirits.

The students reportedly exhibited strange and violent behavior and started ranting in front of their classmates, teachers and local officials.

The students were brought to Señor Santiago Parish, while others were rushed to the Holy Infant Community in Compostela. (Sun.Star SuperBalita Davao/Sunnex)