Teen hangs self during scolding

MANILA, Philippines - A 14-year-old high school student hanged himself as members of his family scolded him in Quiapo, Manila Wednesday night.

Police Officer 3 Rodel Benitez said Mar Vincent Verde was found hanging in the bathroom of their house at around 10 p.m.

According to police, Verde is the fifth of six children of widow Teresita Verde. His family said the boy used to be a diligent student until about a month ago, when he started cutting classes to spend more time with friends.

This prompted Teresita to warn her son that she would make him stop going to school and send him to the province.

Verde’s older brother, Michael, also scolded him and advised him to study harder. In the middle of being scolded, the victim stood up and went to the bathroom.

Minutes later, Teresita said she saw her son hanging in the bathroom - he had apparently used his own belt to hang himself from a steel bar near the ceiling.

They rushed him to the Jose Abad Santos Memorial Hospital but he was declared dead upon arrival.