15 students in Balamban 'possessed'

CEBU, Philippines - At least 15 female students of Buanoy National High School in Barangay Buanoy, Balamban were reportedly possessed by bad spirits and fell unconscious yesterday morning.

Few hours later, the students regained consciousness except for a third year student who had to be confined at the Balamban Provincial Hospital.

PO2 Hannibal Larida said the incident reportedly started Thursday evening when a group of students had a dance practice inside the campus.

One of them suddenly fell unconscious but was awakened by her classmates.

At around 10 a.m. yesterday, one student also lost her consciousness followed by 14 others.

Larida told The FREEMAN that one girl kept on shouting that small creatures wanted the comfort room of the school destroyed because there were children flushed in there.

The girl also shouted that a girl named Arlene has blood in her face.

“Tungod sa kadaghan naglibog mi unsaon pagtabang kay nagkanit-kanit na man gud,” Larida said in a phone interview.

Larida said they asked for help from the parish priest but he was not around. A religious group prayed over the students but it did not help.

“Gipa-inom na sila ug holy water pero wala lang gihapon. Ang uban gipalayo sa lugar mao nangaulian,” he said.

The teachers of the school told Larida that they had a student before named Arlene who suddenly died for unknown reason.

He was also told that some of those who were possessed reportedly hit the mythical creatures living in the Santol tree at the back of the school.

“Inahan kuno sa eng-kanto naigo kay gibato man nila ang kahoy kay daghan na mang bunga,” Larida said.

Teachers have reportedly warned the students to avoid the Santol tree.

The principal of the school Ismael Borgonia could not be reached for comment.  (FREEMAN)