A CONSTRUCTION worker jumped off the bridge in Barangay Pakigne in the southern town of Minglanilla, Cebu around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022.
The victim was a 45-year-old unmarried man. He lived in Purok Vietnam Rose in the barangay but he was a native of Garcia Hernandez in Bohol Province.
The construction worker was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
SSgt. Wilfredo Prada of the Minglanilla Police Station said the construction worker was having money problems.
The construction worker’s sister told police her brother went out to collect his salary on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 12, so he could pay off his debts.
However, he ended up spending all of it during a drinking spree with friends later that night.
Based on initial investigation, the construction worker was too drunk to go home and slept inside a jeepney parked near the bridge in the barangay.
“When he woke up, his wallet was empty. He wanted to jump off the bridge because he could no longer pay off his debts,” his sister said in Cebuano.
His friends and residents in the area were able to stop him. They told him that death was not the solution to his problem. They offered to help him find a way to pay off his debts. They also invited him to drink some more.
They thought Balaba was okay, but then he suddenly ran and jumped off the bridge, which is estimated to be three stories high.
The victim landed on the pavement below. Police have ruled out foul play in his death. / GPL / PJB
If you are having suicidal thoughts and/or a mental health crisis, do not hesitate to call for help. These are the Hopeline and National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotlines in the Philippines: Hopeline PH’s 24/7 hotlines: 0917-558-4673 (Globe), 0918-873-4673 (Smart), 02-88044673 (PLDT), 2919 (toll-free for Globe and TM).
The National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotlines are 0917-899-8727 and 0917-899-USAP / 989-8727 / 989-USAP.