Disallowed from attending dance, lolo hangs self

BECAUSE he was not allowed by his wife to attend a benefit dance, an 80-year-old man allegedly committed suicide in barangay Kawasan, Aloguinsan Cebu past 6 p.m. Saturday.

Police said Alberto Mantalaba hanged himself with a nylon rope from a water apple fruit tree locally known as tambis.

His family told the police that Mantalaba asked his wife to permit him to attend a benefit dance but she refused. An incensed Mantalaba then stepped out of the house. It was his daughter, Avelina Jimenez, who found him, lifeless. Police said the family declined to have the victim’s body examined.

In another incident, a 16–year–old girl committed suicide in Bato, Toledo City past 10 a.m. Saturday. Arjean Ugahayon Rubio, a third year high school student, hanged herself in her room using a curtain which she tied to the ceiling. Police said that Rubio had an argument with her sister Joseline that morning because of a mobile phone. Joseline also told the police that her sister had been depressed the whole week. Rubio’s body was taken to the St. Francis Funeral Homes for autopsy./CORRESPONDENT CHRISTINE EMILY L. PANTALEON

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.