Man takes life over P1,000 debt

MANILA, Philippines – He paid a measly P1,000 debt with his own life.

21-year-old Orlando Cendena Jr., of Benita St., Juan Luna, Gagalangin, Tondo was found dead early Sunday morning in his home. His friends believe he had taken his own life.

Senior Police Officer 4 Virgo Villareal of the Manila Police District said Cendena had drank silver cleaner which he had borrowed from friends late Saturday evening, when he was last seen alive.

Apparently, days before, Cendena had already expressed the intent to kill himself over his life’s current troubles, topping which was a P1,000 debt which he could not pay.

“The victim was bidding farewell to his neighbors but they thought he was just joking about killing himself,” Villareal told reporters.

No external injuries were found on Cendena, though his corpse showed the tell-tale nose bleeding caused by poisoning.

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.