Photo by Dolly Mose

By Percy Roxas

– Mayor Rolen “Lenj” Paulino Jr averted what could have been a messy ending for a 19-year-old boy yesterday (Nov 8.

The city mayor, together with a representative from the Department of Social Welfare Department, successfully talked out Neil (not his real name), a resident of New Cabalan, Olongapo City, of the latter’s plan to end his life by jumping from the rooftop of the seven-storey SM Downtown Mall in Barangay Pagasa.


Neil, who reportedly had a big fight with his 17-year-old live-in partner, sneaked into the exit door of SM Downtown and used the stairs to reach the 7th floor, the topmost floor of the mall.


The drama unfolded when a commuter noticed a person sitting at the edge of the rooftop, which is about 60ft from the ground, as early as 11am. Passers-by began milling in front of the mall and by 11:30 the crowd, curious to know what is happening, has become bigger.


Minutes later teams from the Philippine National Police, City Fire Department, OTMPS, and the CDRRMO arrived at the scene. Vice Mayor Cortez, one of the first to arrive at the scene, immediately took the lead to control the crowd to avoid agitating Neil, as tension grew with Neil’s every movement.


Newly elected barangay captain Chico Elane of Asinan was also seen helping in the crowd control.


After Mayor Lenj arrived, he was immediately ushered to the rooftop.

It took a few minutes of negotiation with the mayor and a representative of DSWDO before Neil went down from the edge of the rooftop. The drama lasted two hours and a half.


Based on initial interviews by Freeport Insider, Neil had a bitter quarrel with his live-in partner for the ninth time about family and personal relationship issues, which drove him to attempt suicide. Neil is not only young, but also jobless, and lives with his live-in partner’s family in Bataan. The couple had one child.


“He is suffering from so many domestic problems,” said a peanut vendor in front of the mall who happens to be a cousin of his live-in partner, without elaboration. She requested anonymity.


“Apparently, the fights with his partner worsened last night, triggering the suicide attempt,” said Vice-mayor Cortez.


In a talk with Mayor Lenj, Neil opened up about his personal life, from the difficulty of getting a job and providing means of daily living for his partner and kid, to his relationship with his partner and conflicts with his “in-laws.”


The mayor reportedly promised to help Neil with his problems as he could. (30)