ILOILO – A 21-year-old college student from Calinog town shot himself inside St. William Parish Church in Passi City on Wednesday morning, September 24, leaving behind a note addressed to his family.
Police identified the victim as alias “Boy”, a Business Administration student and a resident of Barangay Guiso, Calinog. Witnesses said he arrived by tricycle around 7 a.m., entered the church, and moments later a gunshot was heard.
“We found the victim with a gunshot wound to the right side of the head that exited on the left. Unfortunately, he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital,” said Lieutenant Charina Cepeda, deputy operations officer of the Passi City Police Station.
Cepeda added that investigators recovered two mobile phones, their PIN codes written on a piece of paper, and a suicide note apologizing to the victim’s family.
Police confirmed that this was not the young man’s first attempt.
“Based on our investigation, this was already his second suicide attempt. The note itself stated that he previously tried to end his life in October 2022,” Cepeda said.
While the victim reportedly had no history of mental illness and was doing well in school, authorities were looking into possible family-related struggles. Investigators were also tracing the source of the firearm.
The tragedy has deeply affected the parish community.
“This is an eye-opener,” said Father Moises Tacardon, team moderator of St. William Parish Church. “When a person’s spirit becomes too weak, they may no longer be able to help themselves. That’s why family and community support is very important.”
He noted that during their evangelization activities in the barrios, attendance is often limited to children and the elderly, with very few young people participating.
Meanwhile, Father Julius Jacobres assured that the parish office remains open to anyone seeking counsel.
“We are here to listen and provide support to those who are struggling,” he said.
If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, these 24/7 hotlines provide mental health crisis intervention: Suicide Prevention Hotline Center For Health Development Western Visayas (1-800-10-333-8336 / 09985324047 / 09255469919); West Visayas State University Medical Center (3202431 loc. 162 or 209 / 3292360); Western Visayas Medical Center (3211797 loc. 186 / 5037708); and Pototan Mental Health Unit (5298109)./PN
