20 high school students “possessed” by evil spirits

CEBU, Philippines - At least 20 high school students of the Quiot Integrated School in Sitio Bogo, Barangay Quiot, Cebu City were believed to have been possessed by evil spirits yesterday, prompting teachers to immediately suspend classes.

The affected students reportedly started shouting inside the classroom, then “their voices changed and they went wild.”

The possession reportedly started yesterday morning, affecting at least 10 students. This was, however, controlled by the teachers, led by a teacher catechist, who immediately prayed.

Quiot Barangay Captain Vicente Ramos Jr. told The FREEMAN that it was around 2:00 pm when the possession started again, this time affecting at least 20 students from first year to third year.

The teachers again started praying, together with Lupon Tagapamayapa member Victor Lunday, who is a lay minister.

Ramos said some students regained consciousness while three others were taken to Msgr. Fred Kriekenbeek at the Mary’s Little Children Community in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City.

Kriekenbeek is the official exorcist of the Archdiocese of Cebu and is also the founder and father moderator of Mary’s Little Children Community.

Ramos narrated that issues on possession started last Friday during the three-days and two-nights Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) camping at the school compound.

“Nag-campfire man na unya diha’y nagsaba-saba. Basin gisabaan (spirits) siguro pero natabang ra hinuon to. Kaganiha (yesterday) na nigrabe,” Ramos said.

 The incident prompted school officials to also suspend night classes yesterday. All classes will resume today.

Ramos said the school compound is surrounded with big and old fruit-bearing trees. “Mga 10 to 15 years na man ning mga kahoya sukad-sukad karon lang gyud ni nga naay ingon ani nga hitabo,” he said.

Ramos said that school officials are now planning to have the school blessed again. It was blessed six years ago during its official opening.

Kriekenbeek, in a previous interview, said that demons possess sinners anywhere, especially in places where many had been killed. Children are usually the victims of possession since they are more vulnerable than their parents who committed grave sins.

The priest clarified that nature or the presence of trees in a particular area, should not be blamed for possessions, saying that trees are innocent, unless used as instruments for evil practices. He also suggests that the family or the persons with the one who is possessed should avoid asking the victim questions, and should rather pray the Holy Rosary, and  firmly believe in the power of the Divine Providence.

Victims of possession should also abandon demonic items and evil practices so as not to be taken in control again. — /QSB (FREEMAN)