College athlete kills self after breaking up with girlfriend

MANILA, Philippines — A college athlete allegedly shot himself dead in front of his friends on Monday night in Quezon City.

Erwin Mariano, 17, a resident of Barangay Tatalon, died immediately from a single bullet that pierced his head, information gathered by the police showed.

Police Officer 3 Rhic Pittong, the case investigator, said the victim allegedly shot himself in front of his friends after he confided in them about his woes.

The tragedy happened at around 6:45 p.m. in Sitio Pajo, Barangay (village) Baesa, where he was temporarily staying with a cousin.

The teenager, a track and field athlete studying at the Adamson University, recently left home after a fight with his parents, Pittong said.

The college athlete was reportedly confiding about his love problems in his four friends when the boy suddenly took out a caliber .38 revolver from his backpack.

At first, the teenager pointed the gun at his mouth and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not go off.

The victim’s friends then saw the teenager place the gun under his chin and pull the trigger.

The gun fired on the second try and the bullet killed the boy instantly, piercing the chin and coming out of the back of the head, Pittong said.

One of the victim’s friends reported the suicide to Barangay Baesa officials, who called in the police to investigate.

Pittong learned that the boy’s girlfriend had recently broken off their relationship by sending him text messages.

The girlfriend, a certain May Anne, reportedly got scolded a lot at home and asked the teenager to elope with her.

This prompted the teenager to ask his parents if his girlfriend could live at their house, but the parents disapproved of the plan.

Quoting the messages from the girl on the teenager’s cell phone, Pittong said the girl was ending the relationship as she accused the victim of not being able to defend her to his parents.