Man kills self over buddy's death

CEBU, Philippines - A Public Utility Jeepney driver killed himself on Wednesday at Sitio Tayod, Barangay Pardo, Cebu City after feeling depressed over his best friend’s suicide more than a year ago. 

Carlos Salazar Martinez, 33, a resident of the said place was found hanging from the ceiling of his house by his common-law wife, Escarlet, 28, at around 5 p.m.

This was after Carlos asked Escarlet to visit Basilica del Santo Niño to light candles for him at 1 p.m. He also asked Escarlet to leave their two-year-old daughter with him at home. 

However, when Escarlet returned four hours later, she saw the victim hanging from a rope tied on his neck while their two-year-old daughter cried beneath her dead father. 

Escarlet cut the rope using a knife and immediately sought help from their neighbors who phoned for the Barangay Pardo Emergency Response unit, but the victim already dead.

Cebu City Police Office homicide investigator PO3 Wetzel Berry told The FREEMAN that the victim’s common-law wife believed that Carlos’ death was because of his depression over his best friend’s death.

The friend committed suicide October 20 last year. 

“Sulti sa asawa, grabe kaayo ang iyang kaguol human nagpakamatay ang iyang best friend nga usa ka conductor kapin sa tuig na ang milabay,” Berry said.

Berry also said that the victim had long been threatening to kill himself since his friend committed suicide.

“Kapila na ni mibahad ang biktima nga magpakamatay apan kun pa-ngutan-on sa asawa di motubag,” he said. 

Carlos left his wife to care for their two-year-old daughter, eight-year-old son and ten-year-old daughter. The two have been together for over 12 years now.

The victim’s body was brought to the St. Francis Funeral Homes for an autopsy.  (FREEMAN)