'Banana Nite' comedian attempts to jump off hotel building

MANILA - Comedian Jobert Austria, part of the cast of ABS-CBN's late night gag show "Banana Nite," was brought to the Quezon City Police District for investigation following his attempt to jump off a hotel building in Quezon City.

Shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, Austria was seen leaving Hotel Sogo along Quezon Avenue with friends and co-workers, including Badjie Mortiz, the son of "Banana Nite" director Edgar "Bobot" Mortiz.

However, QCPD policemen approached the group and took custody of the comedian.

"Bahagyang nagsisisigaw si Austria nang kunin na siya ng mga tauhan ng Quezon City Police District. At dahil sinamahan siya ng isa niyang kaibigan sa mobile ay naisakay din ito, at ngayon ay dinala na sa QCPD Station 10 para maimbestigahan," radio dzMM's Robert Mano reported.

Austria attempted to jump off the 6th floor of the hotel building at around 1 p.m. He told the police that he was receiving death threats from his girlfriend's former partner.

"Nagte-text siya kanina tulungan daw namin siya, may papatay daw sa kanya. Alam nila na nandito siya, nag-aabang daw sila diyan sa labas. At first hindi ko alam ang ire-react ko. Hindi ko alam kung totoo o ano," said Badjie Mortoi.

According to fellow comedian Eric Nicolas, Austria is facing personal problems.

"Medyo na-depress yung tao dahil may problema siya yata sa kanyang girlfriend or asawa. Yung girlfriend niya, mahal na mahal niya yun, babalik na ata ng Canada so nalungkot siya," said Nicolas.

Authorities immediately responded to the scene, but Nicolas said they were disappointed with how they handled the incident.

"Kanina nandun na siya sa edge ng building, talagang tali lang ang kinakapitan niya. Konting galaw na lang hulog na siya. Ang kinaiinis lang namin, ang tagal nandoon ng tao wala pa din yung pang-salo. Lahat nakatunganga, nakatulala," he said.

He, however, lauded firefighters who were able to safely haul Austria back to his hotel room.

"Ang maganda nito sila rin, yung mga bumbero, sila rin ang humila kay Jobert, halos anim na tao ang nagtulong-tulong para mahila siya sa loob," he recounted.

Hotel officials are mulling over whether to file a case against the comedian.

c. ABS-CBN NEWS