Teen hangs self after breakup with girlfriend

CEBU, Philippines – A teenager hanged himself allegedly after his girlfriend broke up with him early Monday morning in Barangay Poblacion, Santa Fe town in Bantayan Island.

Jack Manulat, 18, a dry goods store worker and a native of Danao City, was found by his co-workers hanging from the roof of the store’s staff house past 3 a.m. on Monday.

Police Officer 2 Jeffrey Barco of Santa Fe Police station said Manulat’s co-workers Niel Lagahi, 20 and Sonny Boy Lumonsod, 25, immediately untied the blanket tied around the victim’s neck upon seeing him hanging from the roof.

They then placed the victim in the bed and called for police assistance.

Policemen arrived and called for the Municipal Health Office after seeing the victim already not moving.

Municipal health officer Dr. Rowena Manalili declared Manulat dead due to respiratory failure secondary to strangulation.

The teen’s co-workers told the police that the victim appeared to have changed after his girlfriend broke up with him.

“Nigawas sa investigation nga gibuwagan sa iyang uyab. Nagsige og sunod-sunod sa uyab nga makigbalik pero ang uyab misalikway na niya,” Barco said.

The girl had reportedly shunned Manulat after their breakup, which may have hurt the victim, said Barco.

“Sa kaguol siguro nga di na siya kuanon sa iyang pinalangga, maong nakahuna-huna nga magkutlo iyang kinabuhi,” the police officer said.

He said that based on their investigation, there was no foul play in Manulat’s death. — Bryner L. Diaz/NSA (FREEMAN)