Trigger Warning: Suspected Suicide
Nababahala ang publiko sa misteryosong pagkamatay ng mga kabataang pawang menor de edad, sa magkahiwalay na pangyayari, noong nakaraang Biyernes, Nobyembre 10, 2023.
Unang naiulat ang pagpanaw ng batang singer at aktor na si Yohance Levi Buie, na binawian ng buhay sa edad na 17.
Sumunod ay dalawang high school students.
Read: The Voice Kids Season 3 contestant Yohance Levi Buie dies at 17
Palaisipan sa marami ang kinahinatnan ng magkaibigang sina Mary Nicole Picar, 15, at Irish Sheen Manalo, 13.
Wala nang buhay sina Mary Nicole at Irish nang matagpuan ang kanilang mga nakabitin at magkayakap na katawan.
Sila ay mga mag-aaral sa Signal Village National High School sa Taguig City.
Nakita sila sa loob ng Girls Scout Mini Office, sa ikatlong palagpag ng gusali ng eskuwelahan nila, noong Biyernes ng gabi.
Grade 10 student si Mary at Grade 8 naman si Irish, na parehong mga residente ng Taguig City.
Sa imbestigasyon ng Taguig Police, huling nakitang magkasama sina Mary at Irish bandang 7:45 ng gabi.
Dahil hindi umuwi sa kanilang mga tahanan, hinanap sila ng mga kaanak kaya natukoy ang kinaroroonan ng dalawa.
Agad namang kumilos si Mayor Lani Cayetano nang makarating sa kanya ang nakagugulat na balita.
Nagpunta siya sa Signal Village National High School, ipinaabot sa naulilang pamilya ang pakikiramay, at naglabas ng opisyal na pahayag ang pamahalaan na kanyang pinamumunuan.
Bahagi ng opisyal na pahayag ni Mayor Cayetano: “The City of Taguig mourns the loss of two high school students found lifeless at Signal Village National High School last Friday night.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to their grieving families.
“The City Government assures the grieving families of its full support as they struggle to comprehend this inexplicable misfortune.
“Mayor Lani Cayetanon has instructed authorities to conduct a thorough investigation that would shed light on the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
“We kindly request the public to avoid sharing unverified information on social media that may only hurt the feelings of the bereaved families.
“This sad event is devastating not only to the bereaved loved ones but to Mayor Lani and the entire Taguig community.We seek God’s guidance, and call on the church leaders to come together for our young people and help them navigate this difficult experience.”
Samantala, may panawagan sa publiko si Irene Jade Manalo, ang nakatatandang kapatid ni Irish.
Huwag daw magkalat ng mga walang katotohanang balita tungkol sa trahedya.
Apela ni Irene, ang nagdadalamhating kapatid ng nasawi: “On behalf of our family, pls. wag na mag-spread ng false information. It’s still under investigation.”
Sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Facebook post, may panawagan din si Rhea Manalo sa mga guro, kaibigan, at kaklase ng kanyang pinsang si Irish, na sabihin ang kanilang mga nalalaman tungkol sa mahiwagang pagkamatay ng magkaibigan.
“Our family is asking and begging for your help — to all the classmates, teachers and friends of Irish Sheen Manalo and her classmate, Mary, come forward and tell the truth.
“Sheen and her classmate Mary were found dead last night, 'nakabigti' daw according sa mga guards ng Signal Village National High School, nilabas ng police yung dalawang bata without the SOCO.
“Uncooperative yung Signal Village National High School and wala daw CCTV na gumagana sa school. Please look into this DEPED TAPAT-Division of Taguig City and Pateros DepEd Philippines and Mayor Lani Cayetano."
Panawagan ni Rhea, pinsan ng nasawi:“My cousin was an honor student and part of the GSP. She’s at Grade 8, Gold Section. She will not dare kill herself.
“We are still waiting for the autopsy result as of this post. Any help to assist us and our family to get justice for Sheen, please message me or her Ate Irene Jade Garcia Manalo.”
Samantala, maaaring may kaugnayan pa rin sa malungkot at nakagigimbal na trahedya sa Signal Village National High School ang paalaala sa lahat ng City of Taguig.
Ito ay tungkol sa programang inilunsad ng siyudad noong nakaraang buwan—ang Helping Others find Peace and Encouragement (HOPE).
“The program addresses anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and suicidal tendencies in students through monthly plenary workshops and weekly small group discussions in schools with volunteers from faith-based organizations.
“We put up HOPE Centers in pilot schools where troubled students can drop by anytime without fear of stigma or being judged. Re-training of volunteers is on-going.We urge our students to take part in our HOPE program.
“Some students, friends, classmates, or teachers may find it difficult to cope with this tragedy.Our counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists will be at Signal Village National High School to help them.
“Anyone may also call the Taguig Mental Health Teleconsultation Hotline at 0929-521-8373 or contact our dedicated social workers at 0932-272-4888.
“Life is a precious gift. Every life is important.In this time of collective sorrow, let us show collective resolve to overcome this tragedy.”