Bridge drama: Man jumps, son killed

A man carrying his one-year-old son jumped off a 30-foot bridge on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City yesterday, resulting in the death of the child.

Nestor Silang, 33, survived the suicide jump and was taken to the Malvar General Hospital for a broken leg while his son, Nestor Jr., was pronounced dead at the Fairview General Hospital due to severe head injuries.

The drama, which began around 1 p.m. on the foot bridge located near the Sandiganbayan, caused major traffic along Commonwealth Avenue, as Silang threatened to jump, at times dangling his son over the edge of the structure as a crowd gathered below watched in horror. Among those in the crowd was the jumper’s wife, Herminia, 35, of Barangay Commonwealth.

At 2:40 p.m. Silang jumped off the foot bridge, deliberately missing a rescue blanket that was intended to catch both father and son.

Bystanders claimed that the siren from an arriving fire truck startled the father and prompted him to jump. He landed feet first while his son’s head hit the ground.

The child was immediately taken to the hospital. The father was taken moments later, but not before receiving punches and kicks from irate bystanders.

Herminia claimed her husband had not been home for two days and only appeared at their house yesterday morning. She said that Silang suddenly took their son and walked away.

"Sabi niya ipapasyal daw nya pero sinundan ko sya kasi hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ganun. Hanggang sa hinihingi ko na nga yung bata dahil gutom na simula alas-diyes nang umaga hanggang ala-una hindi pa dumedede ang bata. Pero ayaw niya ibigay sa akin," the mother told The Star.

For over 30 minutes, a female firefighter tried to negotiate with Silang to free the child. The man made no demands and did not speak much. He simply made it clear he would not let go of his son.

It was learned that the child had just recuperated from an illness.

Herminia said that financial woes was not the reason her husband attempted to kill himself. She said her husband had a job and that they always have enough food and other needs.

However, she noted that they always fought over her husband’s addiction to drugs.

"Wala akong makitang dahilan kundi malamang ay sabog siya dahil sino ba namang matinong tao na nasa sarili ang makakagawa ng ganito sa kanyang anak," Herminia said between grasps of breath.