By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Department of Health has established suicide prevention hotlines in the country. For those who need help, they could call 0917-899-8727 (USAP) and 0917-989-8727 (USAP). Other helplines include that of In Touch Philippines with call crisis lines +63 2 893 7603 (Landline); +63 917 800 1123 (Globe); and +63 922 893 8944 (Sun). The Philippine Red Cross’ 24/7 suicide prevention hotline, toll-free HOPELINE 2919 (for Globe & TM Subscribers) 0917 558 4673 or 8044673.
Difficulty in answering learning modules is one of the reasons behind another suicide case involving a Grade 7 student.
The body of 12-year-old Ikoy (real name withheld) was discovered around 3 pm Thursday at a bamboo bridge near their house in Barangay Cansilayan, Tigbauan, Iloilo.
The incident was deemed another blow to the new mode of teaching amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as it happened a day after a Grade 10 student also committed suicide allegedly due to difficulties in the distance learning modality.
Ikoy’s 19-year-old sister was the one who found the victim.
Staff Sergeant Alfie Alcones, Tigbauan police investigator, said they found no signs of foul play in the boy’s death.
The boy’s parents work for a water refilling station in the nearby town of Oton.
“The family is convinced that he took his life,” Alcones said.
But he said they are still waiting for the family’s decision whether to conduct an autopsy on his remains.
Alcones said they found the boy’s class module inside their home.
“Apparently, the last module that he would be answering was Araling Panlipunan. He even tore a page of the module,” he said.
Ikoy’s sister told Daily Guardian that she last talked to him Wednesday evening while answering his modules.
“Ako na nagabulig magsabat sa iya module. Namangkot sya kung matapos namon sa Huwebes sang aga ang module kag mapasa sa Friday, kung may maabot pa gid nga bag-o nga module,” the sister said.
When she answered on the affirmative, the boy claimed, “nakapoy kag natak-an na gid sya kuno (He’s tired of it),” his sister added.
She described her brother as someone who got easily fed up reading and answering his lessons.
“He was sleeping with me in the same room. He was not really keen on reading and answering lengthy modules,” the sister said in vernacular.
On Wednesday, a 19-year-old Grade 10 student was also found dead inside a nipa hut some 50 meters away from their home around 11:45 am.
The boy’s mother said the victim intimated to her and his godfather some rough patches that he was going through.
“He told his godfather that he has a lot of problems that was compounded by the modules. He said he cannot take it anymore and wants to commit suicide,” the mother added.
The mother said she noticed a lot of changes in her son’s attitude since classes begun. The victim opted for the modular mode of learning.
“I even heard him cursing and throwing away the module saying he cannot answer some of the tasks. He even asked his brother to do it for him,” said
The victim’s godfather who is a barangay council member said the victim told him that he was having a difficult time with his studies.
“He did tell me that he had a hard time with his studies. And he we would sometimes joke that it is better if he is gone,” the godfather said.
76TH IN ILOILO PROVINCE
Records from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) indicated that Ikoy’s alleged suicide is the 76th case in the province for this year and the fourth for October.
Comparatively, IPPO statistics showed that there’s not much of a sharp increase in the number of suicide cases in the province.
From January to October 2019, IPPO recorded 72 suicide cases or four incidents lower, as of Oct. 22, 2020.
Earlier, the Iloilo police put up a Pag-ulikid Desk to address rising suicide cases.
The IPPO has noted that majority of the victims are male from 17 to 30 years old.
DEPED STATEMENT
Following the incident, the Department of Education-Region 6 has issued a statement on the matter.
“DepED Region VI is saddened to hear the loss of two high school students who were confirmed to have committed suicide. We condole with their families in this time of bereavement. The Schools Division Office of Iloilo thru the Public Schools District Supervisors and the School Heads have already expressed their sympathy. They also sent representatives to visit the respective families to look into immediate needs and concerns.”
Further, “while we wait for the police blotters and the results of the investigation, we request everyone to refrain from giving harsh or negative comments that will add more insult to injury. Please avoid sharing or reposting news items relative to the incident as this will do more harm than good. Instead, your sincerest words of encouragement, fervent prayers for comfort and healing and any assistance are much appreciated. We also request you to respect the privacy of both families as they go through these difficult times.”
The department added that suicide is a serious public health problem.
“It is a sensitive and complex issue that needs to be handled responsibly. On this note, we would like to appeal not to connect the self-learning modules to the suicide as it is unfair to the agency. We caution the public against individual or groups who use these unfortunate events to discredit the efforts of the Department.”
It also called on teachers to extend an extra mile of patience, understanding and support to our learners.
“Our assurance of our ever-ready help will facilitate and ensure learning while we conduct remote learning. DepEd-RO VI will continue to strengthen the promotion of mental health and well-being of all. We will also revitalize school-based interventions that will undertake measures to help prevent suicide-related issues. Let us move forward with a stronger faith that we will overcome this predicament. Let us pray for one another and constantly look after the welfare of all our learners, teachers and every DepEd personnel of Region VI.”
