A family of 12 in Gibitngil, Medellin is reportedly suffering from mental distress following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Cebu on September 30.
The Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Medellin, together with a medical team from Manila, has conducted Psychological First Aid (PFA) to prevent the affected family members from committing suicide.
According to the Medellin Municipal Police Station, they received a call from Gibitngil Barangay Captain Monina Monato, who sought help after several members of a Christian church showed signs of severe mental distress.
Police Major Manuel Cabanlit, chief of the Medellin Police, said they immediately responded along with personnel from the local government unit and the Municipal Social Welfare and Services Office (MSWSO).
Upon their arrival, the 12 family members-including an eight-year-old child and a pregnant woman-were reportedly unable to communicate properly and were poised to commit suicide.
Rene Barro, president of the religious group to which the family belongs, told police that the members had stopped eating since October 1, 2025, due to trauma from the earthquake.
Authorities also reported that the family threw food packs into the sea, and some members had expressed suicidal thoughts.
‘Ang katong father kuno ni-try (suicide) gyud, murag naa siyay samad gamay sa liog pero gamay ra kaayo unya nadala dayon sa DRRMO sa ospital pero ang other members sa family daw kay mo-estorya kuno sila nga mag suicide sila,’ said Cabanlit.
(The father reportedly attempted suicide. He had a small wound on his neck, but it was very minor. He was immediately brought by the DRRMO to the hospital. However, other family members were saying they would also take their own lives.)
Janice Sumalinog of the MSWSO said that a team from the RHU and the visiting Manila medical team provided psychological first aid to the family.
The head of the family remains confined in the hospital for treatment. When asked if the family had any pre-existing problems, Sumalinog said they had not received any such reports.
Those identified with mental distress have already been given medication.