Man drowns inside rehabilitation clinic

A 52-year-old man drowned himself yesterday morning inside a rehabilitation clinic in Quezon City.

Efren de la Cruz of Marulas, Valenzuela City was found dead by nurses and attendants with his head submerged inside a drum filled with water at about 6:30 a.m. inside the comfort room of the Estrella Home Care Clinic located at 177 Kamias Road Extension.

Based on information gathered by investigators, De la Cruz was a regular patient of the clinic — a behavioral disorder and rehabilitation center — since 1996 for sleep depression.

According to clinic staff, De la Cruz had suicidal tendencies. He would often bang his head on the floor and walls, and even once tried to drown himself using the same drum of water several days ago.

Cursory examination of the victim’s body showed no signs of external injuries.

De la Cruz was rushed to the East Avenue Medical Center but he was declared dead on arrival by doctors. – Katherine Adraneda