Farmer facing rape charges commits suicide in Pangasinan

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines—A 36-year-old farmer died after drinking insecticide on Tuesday in Mangatarem town, Pangasinan province, supposedly after learning that a rape case would be filed against him.

Raymundo Dela Cruz Jr. was found unconscious by his son, with an insecticide container nearby, at about 6 p.m. in a room of their rented house in Barangay (village) Paul, police said.

He was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Earlier, Dela Cruz reportedly sought the advice of Paul village chief Simplicio Samoy regarding a rape case he was facing, which involved a 16-year-old girl.—Gabriel Cardinoza