Sick old man burns self to death

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Despondent over his lingering tubercular ailment, an octogenarian here burned himself to death last Friday night, police said.

Police said 85-year-old Pedro Bedania, an indigent resident of Barangay Bonfal Proper here, had long been bedridden because of tuberculosis and had been staying for several months in a friend’s house.

Police said Bedania poured gasoline on his body and then burned himself to death.

Neighbors tried to come to the old man’s rescue but the flames quickly spread all over his body, even affecting his friend’s hut.

Reports said the old man had wanted to take his life several times due to his sickness.