Classes at the Isaac Lopez Integrated School in Mandaluyong City were quieter than usual Friday.
The reason: Around half of the public school’s elementary and high school students decided to just stay at home a day after around 20 students were reportedly possessed by evil spirits.
“Many of the students’ parents did not send their children to school today for fear of being possessed,” said Edita Septimo, the high school department’s assistant to the principal.
According to her, the school has 1,597 high school and 1,410 elementary students. Classes were suspended on Thursday due to the incident although these were supposed to resume Friday.
Among those who were absent were the Grades 7 and 8 students allegedly possessed by spirits. During the incident, they were observed to be “convulsing” and crying frantically while others were shouting: “I don’t want to!” and “Princess!”
“They were traumatized and did not want to go to school yet. They said they wanted to rest first after what happened,” Septimo added.
She pointed out, however, that only three of the students seemed to be genuinely affected.
“They said they saw spirits. Actually, two of them had been suffering from fainting spells since last week and reported that they were being possessed. The rest of the students appeared to be just acting,” Septimo said.
She based this on the observation of some witnesses who said that one “possessed” student who was convulsing on the floor had enough presence of mind to retrieve the money that dropped out of her pocket.
Other witnesses who rushed the affected students to the hospital claimed that the children immediately stopped acting up after they were told by medical workers that they would be given an injection to help them calm down.
Still, the school is not taking the matter sitting down. “We are discussing what could be done: Whether we would repeat that ceremony or continuously pray to ward off evil spirits,” Septimo said as she explained that last Monday, a Holy Mass and a blessing of the entire school was held.
She also warned that there may be repercussions for the students found to have faked their behavior.
Mayor Benhur Abalos visited the school yesterday, bringing some psychologists who talked to some of the students and their parents.
“The mayor wanted to help the children. He wanted to know if they had problems. The psychologists also talked to the parents. We are also planning later on to invite the parents of all students to a dialogue on the next steps to take,” Septimo said.
“I appeal to the parents to let their children go back to school. They should not fear for their safety so they can finish their studies in time. If not, we will be forced to hold make-up classes every Saturday,” she added.