Cops rule two-timing husband's death a suicide

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District (MPD) said yesterday the death of a 43-year-old vendor in Tondo was a suicide despite allegations by his widow’s relatives that there was foul play.

The body of Rodolfo de la Cruz was discovered by his mistress hanging by a nylon cord in their rented room along Pilapil street in Tondo the other day. He was rushed to the Mary Chiles Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

According to Lorie Vecina, 28, De la Cruz told her about his mounting financial problems days before he committed suicide. Vecina and De la Cruz have been living in for 10 years with the knowledge of De la Cruz’s wife, who lives on a nearby street. De la Cruz regularly visited both women.

Vecina said De la Cruz had been complaining of moun­ting bills for the maintenance of the two women which include payments for house rentals, electricity, water, two motorcycles and other debts. Vecina said the year had not been good for De la Cruz, who sold toys in Divisoria. He borrowed money to start his business but sales were bad and the interest payment alone was mounting, according to Vecina.

However, relatives of De La Cruz’s widow asked for an investigation after they learned that he had wounds in both feet when he was discovered.

Officer-on-case SPO4 Richard Lumbad told The STAR that the result of autopsy conducted on De la Cruz showed he died of asphyxia as result of hanging.