Woman dies after jumping off bridge

CEBU, Philippines - A 44-year-old woman died after jumping off the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge yesterday afternoon.

Baby Johanna Baguio of Timpolok, Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City reportedly landed on a concrete footing of the bridge. She suffered broken teeth and also broke her knees as a result of the impact.

Gemma Blanco, Johanna’s sister, said the victim suffered from nervous breakdown and was also suffering from epilepsy since she was a child.

Blanco said Johanna sometimes would become violent and throw things at other people. Johanna allegedly also tried to stab her four children.

Prior to the incident, Johanna went to the office of her other sister, Felicitas Baguio, who works as assistant city treasurer of Lapu-Lapu City.

Felicitas said the victim wanted to sell the lot she owned but that she failed to give her sister much attention as she was busy with work.

Felicitas said she left Johanna for a while to prepare milk for her but when she returned Johanna already left. Felicitas said she suspected Johanna felt bad because she was not able to wholly focus her attention on her.

At 3:40 p.m., Opao Police Station received a report regarding a woman who jumped off the bridge.

Felicitas said the police are still investigating how Johanna reached the middle of the bridge despite her mental deficiency.  (FREEMAN)