14 students “possessed”

CEBU, Philippines - At least 14 students of Toong Integrated School in the mountain barangay of Toong, Cebu City were allegedly possessed by evil spirits yesterday noon.

Most of the affected students were brought to Msgr. Frederick Kriekenbeek, who is known to perform exorcism, at the Mary’s Little Children Community in Tabunok, Talisay City.

Barangay Toong councilman Milven Bacalso said 12 students, mostly high school, were brought to Kriekenbeek upon the advice of the parish priest of the nearby Buhisan Shrine.

“Nagsugod ni mga ala una sa hapon. Naay usa nagsugod ug kasudlan dayon nagtakod-takod na. Una namong gitawag ang pari sa Buhisan Shrine pero ingon siya di niya kaya ang sitwasyon. Siya maoy nag suggest nga adto namo dad-on kang Msgr. Kriekenbeek,” Bacalso told The Freeman.

Members of the Cebu City Quick Response Team were immediately dispatched and helped transport the students to Talisay City for spiritual intervention.

They arrived at the spiritual center past 3 p.m. and prayers were immediately done to calm the students.

Msgr. Joseph Tan, spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Cebu, emphasized the importance of prayer as the armor against evil.

“For those directly concerned in supernatural phenomenon that suggests diabolical possessions, it is important to bring them to priests for blessing and prayer. Taking them to Msgr. Fred is a very positive move as he is experienced in healing and deli-verance prayer,” Tan told The Freeman.

He then referred to an old practice which is considered shield from negative energies.

“As a traditional practice, holy water is used in defense from the devil. This is to bless themselves and protect from sorts of evil. This is not implying something magical but more of calling upon God’s protection,” Tan continued.

He reminded the parents to guide their children especially with the things they read and watch.

“It is very important for parents to exercise caution, for them to monitor their children on the things that they read and watch. It could start from simply reading about their in books or watching videos online but could reach to the point of them practi-cing rituals or something like that. It is not uncommon for the young to be curious on these things. But these are not intended for them as this can trigger and become portal for evil to enter. We don’t encourage that children watch or read these without adult supervision,” he added.

Apart from spiritual steps, the archdiocesan spokesperson suggested seeking medical explanation, stressing the need to exhaust possible assessment on the situation.

“A medical doctor has to also check on these children to see if there is a need for their intervention,” said Tan.

But Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairperson of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said the supposed demonic possession could just be a mass hysteria.

“In my personal assessment after going to the site, this is mass hysteria. One student claimed to have seen a little child, panicked and fainted. Those who helped said they saw the same and likewise fainted. Nagkatag-katag na until it became mass hysteria,” Tumulak told The Freeman.

Upon reaching Barangay Toong, Tumulak saw that even teachers and parents were panicking so he conducted a debriefing and discussed mass hysteria and how to deal with the situation.

“I lectured them on the importance of presence of mind and making sure the children and even adults in panic do not sustain injury. The parish priest of Buhisan also led the community in a prayer. They did the rosary,” Tumulak said.

The medical team along with the councilor had checked on the students and found that their vital signs were normal. Immediately after the hysteria, their pulse rates were high which was understandable, Tumulak added.

A Mass will be held today inside the school campus. The debriefing will also continue.

According to Tumulak, he will make use of the opportunity – when parents and guardians of the students will be around today because of the scheduled distribution of cards – to conduct lecture on mass hysteria.—/FPL (FREEMAN)