“Pakialagaan niyo na lang si Pochito. Here we go. Here I go.”
With these words, the drummer of the iconic rock band Razorback leaped to his death from the top of the 33-storey condominium in Malate, Manila, Wednesday.
Brian Velasco, wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and spectacles, went live on Facebook to film the suicide at 9:45 a.m.
The live feed shocked thousands of Facebook users who were able to watch the video before it was taken down.
After consulting with the victim’s family, police have ruled it as suicide.
Velasco did not leave a suicide note except for his final words in the live feed.
The Pochito referred to by the victim apparently is one of his pet dogs.
In his Facebook post last November, Velasco mourned the death of his dog Alfie, he fondly describes as his little soldier.
“So today I celebrate the memory of a little dog with a massive heart who up until his last days, did not complain. I will sorely miss you,” Velasco said in his Nov. 22 post.
It is uncertain, however, if Alfie’s death is tied to Velasco’s suicide.
Velasco, a former drum instructor at RJ Guitar Center, joined Razorback as replacement for Miguel Ortigas in 1996.
Razorback was formed in 1990 and performed regularly at the now-defunct Kalye, a club in Manila. It has done front acts for international bands Metallica, Rage Against The Machine and Silverchair.
Among their hits include “Payaso” and “Ikot ng Mundo”. (Erma Edera)
