MANILA, Philippines — A female student reportedly fell to her death inside a building at De La Salle University (DLSU), Taft Avenue, Manila on Tuesday evening.
Initial reports from DLSU’s official student publication, The LaSallian, said a staircase in Brother Andrew Gonzalez Hall was impassable around 5:33 p.m. due to an unidentified incident. However, social media reports said it was closed due to a female student who jumped off the 20th floor of the university building.
BREAKING: Staircase in Andrew Hall impassable at the moment due to an incident. Investigation is ongoing. Elevators are currently usable.
— The LaSallian (@TheLaSallian) October 25, 2016
The entrance way of Andrew Hall leading to Fidel Reyes St. has been closed. Students are advised to take the Taft entrance instead. pic.twitter.com/WfP9wG9K9A
— The LaSallian (@TheLaSallian) October 25, 2016
Another social media post from the publication said that the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory also arrived to investigate the scene.
The DLSU Office for Strategic Communications confirmed that an incident involving a student occurred inside the university. But no detail about the incident was issued. The office said school officials are already cooperating with the investigators and the student’s family members regarding the matter.
“The University would like to request for everyone to respect the privacy of the family during this time," DLSU said in an official statement.
On Monday, a female teenager also fell to her death inside a mall in Mandaluyong City. This was reported to be an apparent suicide.
The Department of Health last month opened the “Hopeline Project” which aims to strengthen its campaign to prevent the occurrence of suicides in the country. It is a phone-based counseling service available 24/7 to individuals who suffer from crisis situations and depression.
The numbers to call are the following: (02) 805-HOPE (4673); 0917 558 HOPE (4673) and 2919. — Rosette Adel