German national dies after leap from 3rd floor of mall in Bacolod
BACOLOD CITY—A German national died after he jumped from the third floor of a mall in Bacolod City on Thursday.
Richard Alexander Harbich, 40, was brought to Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival, Chief Insp. Richard Fajarito, police station 1 commander, said.
The police were looking into the possibility that Harbich killed himself due to frustration because his Filipina live-in partner left him and took his money.
He said the police would coordinate with the German Embassy on his death because he had no family in Bacolod.
Bea Hernandez was with her children on the third floor of the SM City mall at the reclamation area in Bacolod City at 3 p.m. on Thursday when she noticed the foreigner standing beside her looking anxious and pale.
The German then stepped on the railings and jumped, she said.
Mall-goer Larina Miraveles said she heard a loud bang which she at first thought was a gunshot, until she saw Harbich lying on his back on the ground with his hands shaking.
Rescue personnel immediately attended to the victim while security officers cordoned the area and controlled the crowd that gathered at the scene, Miraveles said.
Fajarito said there was no foul play in the incident because Harbich also attempted to commit suicide on Tuesday but was subdued by mall personnel.
In his blotter report at Police Station 4, Harbich said his live-in partner, whose name was not disclosed, took his ATM card and withdrew all his money, Fajarito said.
May Castro, SM Bacolod public relations manager, said they were cooperating fully with the police and rescuers, adding that they would review their security footage to determine what aspects needed to be enhanced to prevent cases like this.
Thursday’s suicide was the first incident in the mall, Castro said.
The German arrived in Negros Occidental on Nov. 17 and was set for a 59-day stay.
He went to the Bureau of Immigration 10 days after his arrival to report that his money was stolen by a woman and he needed help to go home.
He needed a ticket for Manila which a concerned citizen, who overheard him at the immigration office, bought him.
He was to leave for Manila on Friday. RC
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please reach out to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). Their crisis hotlines are available at 1553 (Luzon-wide landline toll-free), 0917-899-USAP (8727), 0966-351-4518, and 0908-639-2672. For more information, visit their website: (https://doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline)
Alternatively, you can contact Hopeline PH at the following numbers: 0917-5584673, 0918-8734673, 88044673. Additional resources are available at ngf-mindstrong.org, or connect with them on Facebook at Hopeline PH.
