Man depressed over eye ailment hangs self

CEBU, Philippines – An alleged severely depressed widower hangs self from the beam of the ceiling of his house past 10 the other night in sitio Ipil-Ipil, barangay Basak, San Nicolas, this city.

The body of Celerino Soque, 67, was discovered by his daughter at 10:45 that night.

In the investigation, his 20-year-old daughter, Leah Soque, said that after wiling her time with her friends and neighbors, she then went home to take a rest but when she opened the door of their house, she saw her father already hanging from a cord tied around his neck and connected to the beam.

This reportedly prompted her to shout for help from neighbors and call barangay tanods for assistance who, in turn, called up the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office.

Responding Homicide personnel saw the victim hanging from a blue nylon rope, about 34 inches long, tied around his neck with the other end tied to the wooden beam of the living room of their house.

Initial inspection showed neither external wound on the body nor disarray of the belongings that would indicate foul play.

Further information gathered from the informant revealed that the victim was suffering from cataract on both eyes and had undergone laser surgery but was depressed when one of his daughters working abroad failed to send money for another supposed operation on his eyes.

The body was later taken to the Eternal Funeral Homes for post mortem examination as requested by the police. — Niña G. Sumacot/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)