Iloilo police notes decline in suicide cases

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

Massive information drive of all police units or the easing of quarantine measures implemented in most towns; there could be other factors for the dramatic decline in the number of suicide cases in Iloilo province, but the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) said it welcomes the development.

Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, said they only recorded six cases of suicide since January 1, 2021.

Records from the IPPO-Investigation and Detective Management Unit indicated that Pavia town recorded two cases and one each in Alimodian, Dueñas, Leon, and Sta. Barbara.

For the months of January and February of 2020, IPPO recorded 19 suicide cases.

Granting that no suicide incident happens for the rest of the month, IPPO would record a 68.42% decline in cases.

According to reports, most of the victims suffered from depression before they committed suicide.

Of the six, only one was a minor while another one was in his early 20s. The rest of the victims were in their late 50s.

“We hope that the trend continues,” Gorero said citing that they were alarmed of the 92 suicide cases last year.

“We know that there’s more work that we and other sectors of the society need to do to address the mental health problem,” Gorero said.

Meanwhile, the IPPO reiterated that the “Pag-ulikid” Desks in all police units remain operational to cater individuals who need help, or to facilitate intervention to those who need whatever support – moral, psychological or spiritual.

“The suicide deaths last year are higher than the fatalities due to COVID-19. This means that this problem also requires our serious attention,” Gorero said.