Bacoleño hangs self

A man hanged himself reportedly in a fit of desperation caused by poverty in Bacolod City, during the weekend, the police said yesterday.

Luis Mata was found by his members of his family hanging from a nylon cord just a few inches from the ground in their house in Purok Kabuhi, Brgy. 10, Bacolod, at about 3:20 a.m. Saturday, police reports said.

Police Station 2 commander, Senior Inspector Luisito Acebuche, said that before his death, Mata had been talking about committing suicide, even showing the nylon cord he will use to his neighbors.

He said that Mata may have been pushed into depression because of economic difficulties. It was also reported that Mata had looked for his son before he killed himself to make him join in a double suicide, Acebuche said.

Four other men had also killed themselves in Negros Occidental early this month and in February.

Rowena Bañes, chairperson of the University of St. La Salle Psychology department, said people who commit suicide are those who usually don’t have a support system or someone to talk to, especially when they face “overwhelming emotions.”

Family members or friends of individuals who may have tried to commit suicide or those who encounter problems must, therefore, be sensitive and realize that their loved ones need someone to talk to, and that they should listen to them, Bañes said.*PP

back to top

Man nabbed for loose guns

Police arrested a man for alleged illegal possession of a fake gun, minutes after his friend had reportedly sexually-assaulted a teenager in Bacolod City yesterday, the police said.

Christopher Jude Tornilla, 24, was just apprehended by Police Station 2 members for questioning after his friend, Rey Porcado, 27, had allegedly sexually-harassed a 16-year-old girl at the Warehauz Bar at 21st-Lacson streets, Bacolod, when a homemade .22 caliber gun was found in his wallet when he was frisked.

Tornilla claimed that the firearm had just been left to him by a friend. Police Station 2 commander, Senior Inspector Luisito Acebuche, however, said that they will file charges for illegal gun possession against him under Republic Act 8294.

Porcado, on the other hand, admitted to assaulting the minor and the case has been referred to the Bacolod City Police Office Women’s and Children’s Concerns Desk, Acebuche said.

Tornilla’s mother requested for his release but Acebuche said they will pursue the complaints against him.*PP

back to top

‘Cop to shed
light on shooting’

The affidavit of an officer, who witnessed the shooting incident between two cops and a civilian in Bacolod City three weeks ago, is expected to shed light in its investigation, Supt. Pedrito Escarilla, a Bacolod City Police Office Intelligence and Investigation Branch officer, said yesterday.

Escarilla said the affidavit of Police Station 2 member, PO2 Anthony Marijana will be a basis for the investigation of PO1 Kenneth Ronquillo and PO1 Ricardo Villacastin on the shooting incident between them and Roberto Arceña.

Marijana, who was the first officer to respond to the shooting near a gasoline station at 18th Street, in Bacolod after midnight on March 16, has been encouraged to submit his affidavit on the incident as soon as possible, Escarilla said.

Marijana told the DAILY STAR he will execute the document first before answering media queries.

Ronquillo and Villacastin had said that Arceña, alias “Kid Ramir”, waylaid and shot at them but the latter claimed it was Ronquillo who had threatened him with a gun.

The affidavits of Escarilla said Marijana will be considered in the case of the two officers, that include allegations that they had entered a cockpit in Brgy. 4, Bacolod, before the incident.

BCPO officials, however, said that no witnesses have surfaced to confirm the allegations.

Police Station 2 commander, Luisito Acebuche, meanwhile, confirmed reports that Ronquillo had told Marijana that Arceña was a “tropa (officer)” when the responding officer tried to follow the civilian.*PP

back to top