IPPO sounds alarm over suicide cases

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].)

A lesbian died in another suicide incident in Pavia, Iloilo, prompting local police to again raise alarm on such cases amid the pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The body of the 40-year-old victim was discovered around 1:30 a.m. of Sept 18, 2020 at her neighbor’s house in NHA, Barangay Balabag, Pavia.

Major Jojo Tabaloc, Pavia police chief, said Marv (real name withheld) has been staying at a couple’s house after she left home a week ago.

Alex Gasis, 55, discovered the incident when he woke up.

Gasis and his wife allowed the victim to stay with them after the latter had a misunderstanding with her family.

“She had been going home drunk and did things that did not please her family,” Tabaloc said.

She may have been told to leave the house if she would not mend her ways.

Apparently, Marv chose to leave her family.

On top of that, “she has also a misunderstanding with her live-in partner,” Tabaloc said.

The victim was taken to Western Visayas Sanitarium in Sta. Barbara town but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, Colonel Gilbert Gorero, newly installed Iloilo police officer-in-charge, said suicide incidents have been alarming, since it even exceeded the number of deaths related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Addressing mental health is not easy, Gorero said.

“We need experts on this and the community’s understanding to deal with the problem,” he said.

Records from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) showed 63 suicide cases from January 1 to September 15 this year.

Cabatuan, Mina, and Tigbauan topped the list with five cases each.

Estancia and Passi City have the second highest cases with four each.

Three cases were recorded in Dumangas, Igbaras, Leon, and Oton.

Ajuy, Anilao, Barotac Viejo, Calinog, San Dionisio, San Enrique, and Sara have two cases each.

Meanwhile, a lone case was recorded by the towns of Alimodian, Badiangan, Balasan, Batad, Bingawan, Guimbal, Leganes, Lemery, Maasin, Miag-ao, Pototan, San Rafael, Sta. Barbara, and Tubungan.

IPPO has earlier cited that depression, family problems, and marital/love problems as the leading reasons why individuals commit suicide.

Even in the whole of Western Visayas, Iloilo province topped the number of suicide incidents.

There were 215 suicide cases recorded from January 1 to August 31 this year. 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.