Drug suspect dies in Guimbal police custody

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A man accused of a drug-related offense died after he was found inside the comfort room of the Guimbal Municipal Police Station lock-up cell in Guimbal, Iloilo on the evening of April 25.

Police identified the detainee only as alias Kulot, 28, a resident of Barangay Butuan in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

Capt. Alberto Manguilimotan Jr., Guimbal police chief, said Kulot was the lone person under police custody when the incident happened.

The duty jailer had a short conversation with him past 8 p.m., Manguilimotan said.

Shortly before Kulot was found, the duty jailer called his name but received no reply.

The police officer then entered the comfort room of the detention cell at around 9:08 p.m. and saw Kulot inside, Manguilimotan said.

Members of the Guimbal Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office brought Kulot to Rep. Pedro Trono Memorial District Hospital, where he died at 11:43 a.m. April 26.

Police said the case was being investigated as an apparent suicide.

Kulot was arrested in a buy-bust operation on April 13.

Police said he yielded suspected shabu valued at PHP 20,400.

At around 6 p.m. Saturday, Kulot’s common-law wife visited him and brought him dinner. The two ate together, police said. Kulot and his partner, who is still in school, have young twins.

Manguilimotan said the couple had no fight or misunderstanding before the incident.

Police also saw no signs that Kulot was depressed or had anxiety attacks, he said.

The Department of Health has urged media organizations to report suicide responsibly by avoiding sensational details and promoting care and support for vulnerable readers.

Those who need mental health support may contact the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 1553, 0919-057-1553, or 0917-899-8727.