Student dies from gunshot wound inside Passi church

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 21-year-old student died of an apparent suicide inside a church in Passi City, Iloilo, on the morning of Sept. 24.

The victim, identified by the alias Ken, was a resident of Calinog, Iloilo, and sustained a gunshot wound to the head.

He was reportedly enrolled at a college in Passi City, though the name of the school was not disclosed.

According to police, a 44-year-old church worker at Saint William Parish Church in Barangay Poblacion Ilawod heard a gunshot around 7:30 a.m.

The worker, known by the alias Nonato, said he was cleaning outside the church when the gunfire occurred.

He rushed inside and found Ken lying on the floor.

Lt. Col. Benjo Clarite, Passi City police chief, said there were no parishioners inside the church at the time of the incident.

The student was brought to Don Valerio Palmares Sr. Memorial District Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Authorities recovered a .38-caliber revolver and a suicide note at the scene.

Clarite said the note was addressed to a family member and contained references to personal matters.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health continues to urge those experiencing mental health challenges—or those who know someone at risk—to seek help through available crisis intervention hotlines:

Center for Health Development – Western Visayas:
1-800-10-333-8336
0998-532-4047
0925-546-9919

Western Visayas State University Medical Center:
(033) 320-2431 loc. 162 or 209
(033) 329-2360

Western Visayas Medical Center:
(033) 321-1797 loc. 186
(033) 503-7708

Pototan Mental Health Unit:
(033) 529-8109