CEBU, Philippines – A 29-year-old man suffering from Down syndrome was found dead at the Humabon Park along Mabini Street in barangay San Roque yesterday morning.
The man was identified as Mario Baysa, a resident of barangay Panadtaran in San Fernando town.
His body was discovered by one Joemar Engbino who, in turn, contacted the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation. It was ERUF personnel that pronounced Baysa dead.
In an interview with The FREEMAN, Baysa’s mother Carmela, 51, said Baysa rode a multicab last Monday and never came back. Baysa also reportedly suffered from diabetes.
Carmela said she is convinced that her son died due to his ailment, thus, no autopsy would be necessary. Baysa’s remains lie at the St. Peter Memorial Chapel in Carcar City and will be buried next week.
“Kada-buntag ug gabii man gud na siya injection-an og insulin para sa iyang diabetes sukad pa last year, nya pagka-Lunes nawala man siya, misakay og multicab. Unya kung di na siya ma-injection-an kay maluya man na siya,” Carmela said.
Carmela said it was their barangay captain that channeled the news to her yesterday.
Ricardo Pugoy, a tanod of barangay Sto. Niño, said they first met Baysa the other day when responded to a call of an employee of an establishment along Colon Street regarding a man that was lying on the ground in front of their store.
Pugoy said they wanted to bring Baysa to the barangay hall but the latter reportedly disembarked from the service vehicle at the corner of Mabini and Burgos streets.
Pugoy’s statement, however, ran contrary to the statement of a 40-year-old street dweller who alleged that it was the tanods that forced Baysa to go down the service vehicle. – Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)