UST student falls to death; woman commits suicide

MANILA, Philippines - A third-year Biology student of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) died after falling from the 4th floor of the school’s main building in Manila Monday.

It was not yet clear whether Jonah Ortiz committed suicide or he accidentally fell from the building, according to the school’s student publication The Varsitarian.

The UST Security Office has yet to issue an official report on the incident.

“We are not inclined to release an official statement. We want to respect the privacy of the family who are mourning the loss of their son,” a school official, who requested anonymity, said.

The official added that the university is offering to assist the victim’s family through spiritual consolation during their time of grief.

 “Students from the Faculty of Civil Law, which is also located in the main building, recalled hearing a loud thud inside the building’s left wing at around 2 p.m.,” the student publication said.

Ortiz was taken to the UST hospital but was pronounced dead at 7:40 p.m.

A Pharmacy student reportedly saw Ortiz fall.

In Pasig City, a 45-year-old woman yesterday took her life by jumping from the 20th floor of a building at the Ortigas Commercial Center.

The dismembered body of Josephine Maranan, 45, was scattered along Garnet street in Barangay San Antonio, police said.

Chief Superintendent Miguel Laurel, director of the Eastern Police District, said Maranan was a former secretary of the Groiler Scholastic/RBE Distributor, a book company with offices at the 25th floor of Prestige Tower, where she committed suicide.

Laurel said the victim was often absent from work due to a personal problem, prompting the company to fire her early this year.

Senior Superintendent Mario Rariza, Pasig City police chief, said Maranan was the third person to commit suicide in the city since last month.

Rariza said their investigation showed that Maranan logged in at the logbook of the security at the entrance of the Prestige Tower at 8:45 a.m. to visit a former co-employee.

Several minutes later, Gerardo Africa, detachment commander of the Prestige Security force, ran after Maranan after seeing her walking to the roof deck in the 20th floor.

Africa said he stopped Maranan but she ignored him and jumped off the building.

SPO4 Geminer Tingne of the EPD criminal investigation unit said Maranan’s skull was broken and her blouse was torn into pieces.