Lovelorn guard shoots self

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A security guard died from suicide morning of June 21, 2021 in his workplace in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.

Twenty-two-year old Jun (not his real name) allegedly shot himself over what his family and police investigators described as a “love problem.”

His body was sprawled in blood inside the mess hall at the back of the Gov. Neil D. Tupas District Hospital in Barotac Viejo town.

He was still in his uniform, as he just clocked in for work.

Jun was declared dead at the hospital’s emergency room.

Major Kenn Albert Lepsia, Barotac Viejo police chief, said the victim used his service firearm – a caliber .9mm Rock Island pistol – in shooting himself.

Lepsia said that the family was convinced that there was no foul play in Jun’s death.

It was gathered that the victim had two prior suicide attempts in the past 18 days.

Last month, his girlfriend allegedly left him for another man.

On June 3, he tried to take his own life by hanging himself with a rope. On June 19, he again tried to commit suicide by shooting himself.

The first two attempts were averted as these happened at their house.

His family asked intervention from their barangay. But it was not known if the family was able to seek professional help to deal with Jun’s problems.

More than a week ago, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) sounded alarm over the rising suicide incidents.

Since January 1 until June 10, there were already 42 suicide cases,

The number is almost the same compared to last year’s 47 cases for the same period and 46 incidents in 2019.

Records from the IPPO Investigation and Detective Management Unit indicated that 36 victims, or 85.71 percent, were males while only six are females.

Also, 17 cases belonged to the 17-30 years old age group while 13 were 45 years old and above.

Three victims have ages ranging from 31 to 44 years and 3 to 16 years old.

Records also showed that almost all victims, 39 cases or around 93 percent, died from hanging while one used a gun and two others ingested poisonous substance.

The Department of Health has constantly reminded those who have problems or those who knew individuals who are at risk of committing suicides that they could seek help mental health crisis intervention:

The suicide prevention hotline of the Center for Health Development – Western Visayas:

1-800-10-333-8336

09985324047

09255469919

WVSUMC – 3202431 loc. 162 or 209

3292360

WVMC – 3211797 loc. 186

5037708

PMHU – 5298109