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 teenage boy allegedly committed suicide in Calinog, Iloilo.
The body of Jan-Jan (not his real name), 17, was found by his father hanging at a mahogany tree in front of their house at Barangay Banban Pequeno around 4:30AM on February 14, 2021.
Captain Genesis Roque, Calinog police chief, said the incident was only reported to them around 9AM.
The family has declined an autopsy on the victim’s body.
“They believed there was no foul play,” Roque said.
But the family did not offer any information what could have driven the victim to take his own life.
Jan-Jan was the eldest in a brood of nine. He was about to celebrate his 18th birthday on February 19. His family claimed he was excited about it.
Data from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) showed that it was the sixth suicide incident since January 1, 2021.
Last year, IPPO recorded 19 suicide incidents for the months of January and February.
