The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has recorded seven cases of suicide since January of this year.

The seven suicide cases were recorded in the towns of Alimodian, Calinog, Dueñas, Leon, and Santa Barbara with one case each and two cases in Pavia, according to IPPO’s Investigation and Detective Management Unit.

The victims suffered from depression before they committed suicide, and only one victim was a minor, another one was in early 20s, while the rest were already in their late 50s, IPPO records further showed.

To recall, IPPO recorded 19 suicide cases in the first two months of 2020.

IPPO director, Colonel Gilbert Gorero, said many factors may be considered behind the decline of suicide incidents. Among them is the massive information drive of all police units and ease in quarantine measures being implemented in most towns.

“We hope that the trend continues. We were disturbed by the 92 suicide cases last year, and we need to work together not to repeat it this year,” Gorero said.

The IPPO also reiterates that the “Pag-ulikid” Desks in all police units remain operational to cater individuals who need help, or to facilitate intervention to those who are in need of whatever support – moral, psychological or spiritual./WDJ