The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has clarified on Friday that reports claiming farmers in Nueva Ecija took their lives due to farming losses and low prices of rice are untrue.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH Damdaming Bayan, NBI Director Jaime Santiago recounted that upon receiving the request from the Department of Agriculture (DA), he immediately ordered the Central Luzon Regional Office to begin their investigation.
Contrary to initial reports, the results of their investigation found that no suicides occurred in Talavera, Nueva Ecija. However, Santiago confirmed two suicide cases did occur in Guimba, Nueva Ecija.
"Ang result nga po, wala pong nagpakamatay sa Talavera, instead, dalawa po ang nagpakamatay sa Guimba, Nueva Ecija. ‘Yung una po, nakausap namin ang pamilya, ‘ang asawa. Nagagalit nga ho bakit kina-capitalize ang pagpapakamatay ng kanyang asawa," said Santiago.
"Hindi naman po pala sila, pareho po ‘yung dalawang nagpakamatay, pareho pong wala namang sinasaka na [lupa]. Kundi kasama lang sila o barok ang tawag nila," he added.
According to the NBI Director, the first case involved an individual who, as reported by his spouse, had been enduring significant pain and stress due to illness, which led to the decision to take his own life.
Moreover, the second case was not due to financial loss, but because he was left by his spouse. He was reportedly heartbroken and eventually took his own life as well.
Santiago stated that the families of the suicide victims are upset with a candidate who reportedly capitalized on the individuals' deaths for his political campaign.
He also noted that the families of the individuals who committed suicide have no plans to take legal action against the politician. However, the NBI is studying the angle of the situation.
Previously, DA Asec. Arnel de Mesa informed DZRH that the preliminary findings of the police investigation showed that while some farmers had passed away, their deaths were not connected to the drop in rice prices.
Santiago further confirmed via a text message to DZRH that the Talavera Police have reported no suicide incidents in the municipality from March 1 to the present.
