Inmate dies by "holding breath"

CEBU, Philippines - A detainee at the Toledo City Police Station died last Sunday for allegedly holding his breath.

Maximo Benting, 49, of Barangay Kabituonan Toledo City, was discovered dead at 10:00 a.m. Sunday when his fellow prisoners tried to wake him up for breakfast. Benting was detained for hacking his live-in partner Elpedia Rosales last Friday because of jealousy.

His fellow detainees told the police that Benting told his daughter Elma the night before his death that they are no longer seeing each other. Elma, apparently did not take her father’s word, came back Sunday morning supposedly to bring him food for breakfast.

However, Benting did not anymore wake up. The police immediately brought him to the hospital but he was declared dead on arrival.

Senior Police Officer 2 Jerry Trinidad said Benting possibly committed suicide by holding his breath. (FREEMAN)