Grade 11 student in Santa Marcela, Apayao ends own life 10 years after mother’s suicide

Santa Marcela, Apayao - "Pa sorry po nu nagbalin nak nga pasaway nga anak. Ammok amin a sakripisyo yu kanyak, pagpasensyaan dak la kuman pa nu man ado ti naaramid ko nga madi ti sangwanam...pa, uray kastoy nak kinyam haan ka latta nagsawa nga nangpakpakan kanyak."

This is part of the suicide note left by a Grade 11 student in Consuelo, Santa Marcela, Apayao before he took his own life by drinking coffee mixed with insecticide powder.

The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, March 21, 2024, when the victim rushed home after school and asked for coffee from his relatives in the neighborhood.

Few minutes later, he returned to his aunt's house, vomiting, feeling drowsy, and experiencing difficulty breathing, before collapsing unconscious.

His relatives rushed him to the nearest hospital in town, but he was declared dead on arrival.

An opened sachet of insecticide was discovered in their house, and residue of insecticide powder was found in his coffee. His relatives confirmed that the victim intentionally harmed himself.

His father was then at work in Luna, Apayao, and upon learning of the circumstances, rushed to meet his son, but it was too late.

Due to the nature of his work, his son was often left alone at home, with the father returning only once a week.

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, the father expressed he had no idea about his son's actions.

"Awan ammok nga rason nu apay naaramid na ti kastoy, ta nu sumangpet nak agbonding kami met...maikawa nak ta awanen tay anak ko nga palpalagipak nga kanayun nga agriing iti masapa,” mourned the father.

As of now, there is no clear reason behind the dreadful event. One of his cousins said that it might have been due to depression caused by family burdens, but this remains unverified.

Shocked and saddened by the untimely death of their student, teachers from his school expressed their condolences.

In a Facebook post, one teacher mentioned that the suicide could have been prevented if there were noticeable signs.

In 2014, the child's mother also committed suicide in the same manner.