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.
Negotiations with a 25-year-old man, who scaled the roof of an overpass in La Paz, Iloilo City, failed after he jumped in an apparent suicide attempt.
Mike (real name withheld), resident of Brgy 3, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, was tiptoeing on the roof of the overpass near the West Visayas State University-main campus at Luna Street around 9:00 a.m. of March 8 when motorists noticed him.
Police were immediately called to respond.
Staff Sergeant Romy Suatin of Iloilo City Police Station 3 negotiated with Mike to descend from the roof.
Mike claimed that he was from Mindanao and had family problems, but he did not elaborate.
As police continued to ask him to get off the roof, he began acting unruly and suddenly jumped.
But before he leaped, he even told policemen, “Tiruha na lang ko. Gusto ko na madula sang sa magtinir pa sa kalibutan (Shoot me. I want to die than stay in this world).”
Mike broke his feet after landing on the road.
Medics immediately brought him to the nearby WVSU Medical Center for treatment.
