More suicide cases were recorded in Iloilo province in 2019 than the previous year.
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) registered 79 cases of suicide, higher by 20 percent compared to last year’s 65 cases.
Passi City posted the highest number of suicide cases in the province with seven. It was followed by the towns of Cabatuan, Leon, and Santa Barbara.
Most of the victims were males aged 10 to 19 years old.
Majority of those who committed suicide, based on police investigations, were suffering from depression.
Other reasons for suicide were family problems, nervous breakdown, and third party to a love affair.
Police Colonel Roland Vilela, IPPO head, called on or a multi-sectoral collaboration to help curb suicide cases in the province.
According to him, their massive awareness campaign is not enough to prevent suicides.
“We are doing our best but this may not be enough without the reinforcement from other sectors,” said Vilela.
He also underscored the need to nurture the faith among youth, and to strengthen support system within the family and in the schools.IMT
