Pent-up frustration, depression drove patient to kill doctor

Frustration and depression drove 72-year-old patient Wilfredo Sabonsolin to shoot Dr. Cris Cecil Abbu and then himself inside the Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Center of the Sacred Heart Hospital in Cebu City last week.

“Those patients who experience long term illness and even those suffering from diabetes and hypertension can experience depression,” said Dr. Glenda Basubas, chairperson of the Philippine Mental Health Association-Cebu Chapter.

Sabonsolin was wheelchair-bound after sustaining a back injury more than 20 years ago.
He underwent three operations for free at the Philippine Therapy Rehabilitation Center in Sacred Heart Hospital to cure his condition, to no avail.

He had his third operation last December and did regular physical therapy sessions.
Extended suicide

Sabonsolin’s wife suffered from Alzheimer’s disease while his son also suffered from a spinal injury.

“If a person experienced a psychotic depression he or she wouldn’t know the difference between friend or foe. He or she will experience delusions and be incapable of rational judgments,” Dr. Basubas said.

What happened last week was an “extended suicide,” Dr. Basubas said.

“Extended suicide means aside from himself, he included another,” he said.
Sabonsolin shot Dr. Abbu on the chest with his .38 caliber revolver before he shot himself as he sat on his wheelchair.

Depression

Police said Sabonsolin carried a sling bag where the gun may have been kept.

Dr. Basubas said Sabonsolin’s memories of his former lifestyle may have also aggravated his depression.

Previously he could walk with a cane but after three operations and therapy, he still had difficulty standing and walking.

“Don’t leave them alone, they need somebody to talk to and they need more interactions,” she said.

Privacy

Symptoms of depression include energy and weight loss, restlessness and lethargy. If left unattended, it could lead to suicidal tendencies, Dr. Basubas said.

Dr. Abbu’s remains will be cremated on August 2. His family decided to hold the 10 a.m. Requiem Mass at the St. Peter Memorial Chapel in Imus Street, Cebu City where the cremation will likely take place.

Abbu’s elder sister declined to elaborate their plans, saying the family wants privacy.

Abbu’s remains lie at a huge air-conditioned chapel at the ground floor of St. Peter Memorial Chapel. The Aznar family, who owns the hospital, described the shooting incident as “an unforeseen occurrence.”

Speaking in behalf of the Aznars, lawyer Inocencio De La Cerna Jr. said all security guards on duty at the private hospital last Thursday morning were “relieved” from their posts.

He said they were temporarily replaced by other personnel from the same security agency that supervises Sacred Heart Hospital.

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