Man dead after ‘jumping off’ Mactan Bridge

CEBU, Philippines – A 28-year-old man who reportedly jumped off the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge was found dead floating along the waters of Mactan Channel yesterday, around 9 a.m.

Residents of Sitio Camansi, Barangay Pajo in Lapu-Lapu City reportedly saw the body which was later identified as Donald Oporto of Lapu-Lapu City Cottages in Barangay Basak.

Barangay Peacekeeping and Safety Officers of Barangay Pajo immediately responded to the scene and directly rushed the body to the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Margie Gabato, partner of the victim, said that her husband used to say that he wants to jump off the bridge because a lot of things are bothering him and he could not take the pressure anymore, according to Police Officer 3 John Carlo Jocutan of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-homicide section.

At around 8 a.m., Margie told the police that she got nervous after she found out that Donald left their small convenience store open, which prompted her to search for her husband at the bridge.

She was surprised when she saw her husband’s body being carried by the BPSO of Barangay Pajo to the district hospital.

The body was submitted for autopsy, according to Jocutan.

Jocutan added that Donald suffered from depression and has reportedly undergone therapy for five years. – /ATO