Suicidal Chinese climbs crane in Malate

MANILA, Philippines - A Chinese man supervising the construction of a condominium in Malate, Manila climbed a crane yesterday and threatened to kill himself in front of his co-workers.

Engineer Ge Wan Xi, 53, a supervisor of the Sogecoa Philippines International Construction and Trading Co., the designated contractor of the University Place building being constructed on Leon Guinto street, went to the ninth floor of the building and climbed the 25-foot crane at around 11 a.m.

According to some of his co-workers, Ge was hurting after his Filipina girlfriend dumped him a couple of weeks back.

However, Superintendent Rolando Tumalad, Manila Police District Station 9 chief, said Ge was feeling homesick and became despondent after his company did not allow him to go back to China on an earlier date. Tumalad said Ge is slated to depart on Feb. 5.

One of his Chinese co-workers straddled the crane and tried to convince him to climb down. More than two hours later, Ge went down.

Police said they are not going to file charges.