Teenager hangs self in Samboan

CEBU, Philippines - Anger and shame reportedly pushed a teenager to hang himself after he was scolded and hit by his mother in front of his friends Tuesday in Barangay Dalahikan, Samboan.

Alexandre Lemos, 18, was pronounced dead by Dr. Teresita Bucado, municipal health officer, at past 4 p.m.

Initial investigation revealed that Lemos, prior to the incident, partied with his friends at a neighbor’s house to celebrate the town’s annual fiesta.

Dalahikan is located about six kilometers from the town proper.

He allegedly brought with him their sound system without the permission of his mother Norma, prompting the latter to get mad upon knowing this, said Police Officer 2 Joseph Rodney Belangoy of Samboan Police.

Belangoy said that Norma, bringing a coconut spathe (takong), went to their neighbor’s house and scolded her son in front of his friends.

She later hit Alexandre with the coconut spathe while his friends watched.

After this, the teenager, now angry, went to their house.

He took a bolo and told his mother to stab him on his stomach, to which his mother refused.

Alexandre then told his mother he would kill himself if she would not stab him.

In fear that her son would make true his threat, Norma went outside and called for help from their neighbors.

It was at this juncture that the teenager took a rope and tied his neck.

His niece, a minor, later saw him hanging from the ceiling and called for help.

Lemos’ uncle, Pablito Catubig, dashed towards the victim’s house and immediately cut the rope tied around the teen’s neck.

Barangay Dahalikan councilman Roilito Romas called for police assistance and reported the incident.

Police officers together with Dr. Bucado responded to the area and assessed the boy to be dead already. — (FREEMAN)