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) 091 7558 4673 or 8044673.
A young man committed suicide in Aklan province.
The body of Jan-Jan, 21, was found by his parents 8 am Monday inside his unit at the NHA Housing facility in Jugas, New Washington town.
Police accounts said that victim’s parents visited him at his unit that day. But they did not receive any response when they called out his name.
Jan-Jan’s father subsequently decided to detach a portion of the jalousie window so they can enter the house.
The couple later saw the lifeless victim in a sitting position in the comfort room.
A post-mortem examination will be done on his remains although his family is convinced that he indeed took his own life.
The victim belatedly celebrated his birthday on Sept 18 with some friends.
At around 6 pm, he allegedly asked permission from his parents that he would spend the night with his girlfriend at his NHA unit.
But the girlfriend turned down his request.
Jan-Jan’s father claimed to have heard the victim telling her girlfriend that he would commit suicide if she won’t go and sleep with him.
Recently, authorities have sounded alarm on the number of suicide cases in Western Visayas.
There were 215 suicide cases recorded from January 1 to August 31 this year, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) records said.
Of the said number, 59 are from Iloilo province, 55 in Negros Occidental, 22 in Aklan, Capiz and Guimaras have 19 each; 16 in Antique; 13 in Iloilo City; and 12 in Bacolod City.
