SCHOOL in Tuba, Benguet has been disturbed by an alleged case of "disturbed spirits possessing" of some of its students but the school's head and the local government said the situation is "manageable."

Tuba Mayor Florencio Bentrez and Tuba National High School-Extension principal Macarthy Malanes dismissed the fears of students and their parents regarding the alleged "possession" that bugged the school last week.

Bentrez encouraged the students to continue attending classes, saying the local government is exerting all its effort to address the concern.

Sixteen students were rushed to a nearby church last week after they turned hysterical for unknown reasons.

Malanes said the problem began late last month when some students of a first year class started fainting.

Believing that the condition was due to the overcrowded room that accommodated 70 students, the school's administration split the class into two sections.

Malanes, however, said the situation continued, which affected 16 students. He did not admit that the students were possessed, saying they were only "hysterical."

This prompted the school and local officials to suspend classes while seeking the assistance of the religious group and elders in the town.

Those who were affected have undergone counseling as the church prayed for them, Malanes said.

Elders, meanwhile, held an indigenous ritual to appease the spirits who are reportedly complaining of being disturbed by the construction of a two-storey school building.

They offered one pig, dog, and native chicken during the ritual held in the school on Friday.

"There is nothing wrong in holding an indigenous ritual. We are just doing all means to end this problem," said Bentrez who personally witnessed the incident.

The mayor and school officials assured students and their parents that the school is safe. Parents of those who were allegedly possessed were told to accompany their kids to school. Regular classes would resume on Wednesday.

Bentrez also advised the teachers that in case a similar case happens, any students affected must be isolated at once to minimize the panic that it would cause to the other students.

The article above was found on Google and was published originally on Sun.Star Baguio