Suicidal seaman grabs guard’s gun at hospital

MANILA, Philippines - A seaman, who attempted to kill himself, is facing assault charges for grabbing the gun of a security guard who brought him into the emergency room of Ospital ng Maynila yesterday morning. 

Rene Beboso, 24, was taken to the hospital for slitting his neck with a pair of scissors at around 8 a.m.

As Jason Padua assisted him, he reportedly took hold of the guard’s gun and brought it near his face in a second attempt to end his life. Padua grabbed Beboso’s wrist and pointed the firearm’s nozzle to the ground just before the seaman could pull the trigger. 

Tension gripped Ospital ng Maynila when the gun went off. Padua and Beboso’s relatives subdued the seaman, who ran amuck. 

When the police officers arrived, Beboso, allegedly repeatedly asked them to kill him.

 “His face was blank and his eyes were not moving. He even sniggered as he said the words ‘Barilin niyo na ako, patayin niyo na ako (Shoot me, kill me now),’” said Superintendent Romeo Odrada, head of Manila Police District’s Station 9. 

He said it was not clear what prompted Beboso to try to kill himself. 

Beboso’s relatives said he has not slept since arriving home three days ago, Odrada said.

Beboso was taken yesterday afternoon to University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, where he is currently confined.