BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS & MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO – A 36-year-old man shot himself during a livestream on a social media platform on Wednesday morning in Barangay Poblacion, San Rafael.
“Onyok,” a habal-habal driver, was a native of Barangay Jayubo, Lambunao, Iloilo.
He had personal problems, according to Police Lieutenant Gener Buena, officer-in-charge of the San Rafael Municipal Police Station.
“He had five children who were all staying with his in-laws in Batad town. His wife is currently in Manila, applying to work abroad. Perhaps the absence of his family triggered his depression,” said Buena.
“Onyok” was rushed to the Barotac Viejo District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
“He used a homemade 12-gauge shotgun. Initially, bystanders assumed it was a vehicular accident but then they saw his gunshot wound. When they checked his cellphone, they found a video of Onyok taking his own life,” Buena added.
Mental health concerns are often stigmatized, and people often don’t get the mental health services they need.
If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, these 24/7 Suicide Prevention Hotlines at the Center for Health Development in Western Visayas can provide proper intervention: 1-800-10-333-8336; 09985324047; 09255469919.
You may also call the following: Western Visayas Medical Center — 321-1797 loc. 186; and West Visayas State University Medical Center — 320-2431 loc. 162 or 209, 3292360, 5037708./PN