The families of two individuals who died by suicide in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, have strongly condemned a politician for his alleged attempt to “capitalize” on their loved ones’ deaths for political gain. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which conducted a thorough probe, has debunked claims that these suicides were linked to the declining price of palay.

In an interview with DZRH on Friday, NBI Director Atty. Jaime Santiago clarified that while no suicides were recorded in Talavera, Nueva Ecija, two individuals had indeed died by suicide in Guimba. He emphasized that neither of them were farmers.

“The first victim took his life due to illness, while the second committed suicide after being abandoned by his spouse,” Santiago explained in Filipino. “There is no connection to financial losses or palay prices, as previously suggested.”

Santiago also disclosed that the families of the deceased were angered by how a particular political candidate allegedly capitalized on their tragedies for campaign purposes.

“The families are upset that their loved ones’ deaths are being used as political propaganda. They are frustrated that a candidate is exploiting their grief just to gain public sympathy,” he stated.

While the families have not yet signaled any intent to take legal action, Santiago noted that the NBI is looking into the matter. “We are studying this angle because it is causing unnecessary panic among the public,” he added.

DA debunks suicide cause claims

The Department of Agriculture (DA) had earlier dismissed reports claiming that at least three farmers in Nueva Ecija took their own lives due to plummeting palay prices. DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa confirmed that their investigation found no direct correlation between the deaths and fluctuating palay prices.

“In our own investigation, there were indeed deaths, but they were not caused by low palay prices. This is why the DA requested the NBI to conduct a deeper probe. However, based on the preliminary report, these incidents are unrelated to palay prices,” De Mesa said in a previous DZRH interview.

The DA’s statements were in response to allegations made by Magsasaka Party-list chairman Argel Joseph Cabatbat, who claimed in a 17 March interview that at least three Nueva Ecija farmers had died by suicide due to financial difficulties brought about by the drop in palay farmgate prices. According to him, palay prices had fallen from P17 per kilo to as low as P14 to P15 in some areas.