Fear has gripped a school in Sagbayan after several students have allegedly been possessed by evil spirits, a village official said.

The hysteria started in September 8 in Japer Memorial High School in Barangay Sta. Catalina of the said town as 28 students in grades 7 to 11 were believed to have been possessed by spirits.

The tally of “possessed” students were accumulated in a span of almost a month until Thursday.

Barangay Captain Rebeca Castro told DYRD Balita that the said students were experiencing stomachaches and nausea, and were showing violent behavior and seemingly distorted facial expressions.

Castro, based on her consultation with a local folk healer, said that the hysteria started when the school’s gmelina tree situated over a cave was cut down.

The healer said that the alleged possessions were an act of vengeance for the death of a supernatural being living in the tree.

The hysteria which had caused panic in the school prompted officials to ask for help from priests.

For his part, Fr. Alger Paña of the Diocese of Tagbilaran told DYRD Balita that they will have the case investigated today and will be sending a priest exorcist to the school. (Allen Doydora) 

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