Four Badian students “possessed” by evil spirits

Classes were temporarily suspended for an hour when four students of the Badian National High School —three fourth-year and one third-year— collapsed one after the other last Wednesday after reportedly being possessed by evil spirits.

But PO1 Josephine Barriermente said the incident was not caused by possession of evil spirits but said the students fainted from hunger.

“Nadawat namo ang report nga nasudlan og dautang espiritu pero pag-adto nako, nakuyapan ra man kay napasmo,” Barriermente said.

What triggered the rumors that they were possessed by spirits were two old mango trees standing inside the campus.

Barriermente said one fourth-year student collapsed yesterday at about 10 a.m. and was immediately brought to Fr. Nazario Vocales, the parish priest of the town.  But Vocales recommended that the student be brought to the Badian District Hospital for medical attention.

That afternoon, another fourth-year student collapsed.  A few minutes later another fourth-year student and a third-year student also fainted.

“Wala man gyud bisan usa ka magtutudlo nga mikompirmar nga nasudlan og dautang espiritu.  Ang ilang giingon nga napasmo ra man. Wala pud ko’y nakita sa mga estudyante nga nasudlan sila,” she said.

Deped regional director Carolino Mordeno said that they will be looking into the incident.  — Garry B. Lao and Jasmin R. Uy/BRP