Elderly man jumps to death from Edsa footbridge
MANILA, Philippines — A 65-year-old man jumped to his death from a footbridge in front of his grandson along Edsa in Caloocan City Monday morning.
The Caloocan police identified the victim as Marcial Mallo, a resident of Lansones Street in Malabon City.
Initial investigation showed that the suicide happened at 6 a.m. on the footbridge along Edsa near the Manila Central University (MCU) Hospital in Caloocan City.
Chief Inspector Francisco Vargas, chief of the Caloocan Police substation in Bagong Barrio, said Mallo was walking with his grandson on the footbridge when the victim suddenly climbed over the railing and jumped.
Mallo, who suffered head injuries, was rushed to MCU Hospital but was pronounced dead about an hour after his jump.
Earlier reports claimed that the victim committed suicide after finding out that his money was not enough to buy medication.
However, investigators said that they have not confirmed these reports.
“We still cannot say that was the victim’s motive for committing suicide as we have yet to find a witness who will confirm that,” Vargas said in a telephone interview. His substation is in charge of the investigation of the case.
The only thing that was confirmed was that Mallo suddenly jumped as he and his grandson were walking on the footbridge, Vargas said. Investigators tried to talk to the victim’s grandson but he was not at the hospital while the victim was being revived.
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.
