QC police to hold daily briefings on probe of Trina Etong's case
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 04/19/2009 7:35 PM
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The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) announced that it will be holding daily press briefings on its ongoing investigation on the death of Trinidad “Trina” Etong, the late wife of veteran ABS-CBN broadcaster Ted Failon, starting Monday.
Trina Etong, passed away Thursday evening. She was found lying on a pool of blood in their daughter's bathroom Wednesday morning. Etong had a bullet wound to the head.
Senior Superintendent Elmo San Diego, QC police officer-in-charge, said that they are still processing the investigation of the case and are waiting for results of the tests and examinations conducted by forensics or scene-of-the-crime operatives (SOCO).
San Diego also made known that he is the only official source of information on the case.
He also appealed to the public not to consider other statements and pronouncements to avoid confusion.
“Doing their jobs”
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, meanwhile, defended the policemen who arrested the siblings of Etong while she was still fighting for her life at the New Era General Hospital in Quezon City.
Members of the QCPD- Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) arrested two of Etong’s siblings Thursday night. Shortly after her siblings were taken away from the hospital, Etong passed away at 8:50 p.m.
Etong’s siblings said they got the news about their sister’s death while at the police station. They grieved, wailed, and even blamed the policemen for their sister’s death, saying that the police took them away from Etong in what would be her final moments.
According to Gonzalez however, the policemen were just doing their job. He also said that the QCPD- CIDU members possibly became “over- enthusiastic” to resolve the case of Etong’s death because of the involvement of a well-known media personality.
Gonzalez noted that he does not see any overkill in the actions of the police.
He added that the QCPD- CIDU is obligated to conduct a more intensive investigation because the area where Etong allegedly killed herself was cleaned up already.
Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales, Metro Manila police chief, on Friday said he had ordered the relief of the policemen who arrested the siblings of Trina Etong from participating in the investigation of the case.
Rosales said the policemen involved in the arrest of Pamela Arteche-Trinchera and Maximo Arteche at the hospital have been plucked out of the police team investigating the incident.
"Ni-relieve na natin sila para imbestigahan at wala na silang kinalaman ngyaon sa imbestigasyon na nangyayari sa Failon case," Rosales said during a press conference. He said the relief order took effect Thursday night.
He said the officers were relieved to stop allegations that the Quezon City police force is exacting vengeance against Failon.
Footage aired by ABS-CBN News showed several uniformed policemen forcibly taking the siblings from the hospital.
The policemen were supposed to arrest Pamela, but they decided to take in Maximo after he tried to block the policemen. Also taken by police were Mary Ann Ronda and Jacqueline Perez.
All angles
The official heading a separate probe of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) meanwhile vowed to look into all angles in the shooting of Trina Etong
NBI Special Task Force chief Arnel Dalumpines said they already have the statements of members of Failon's household helpers who were present when Trina was found last Wednesday
Dalumpines also said that NBI has plans to consult a psychologist to help determine if Failon’s wife had suicidal tendencies.
Family and friends of Trina Etong have said they believe she took her own life because of financial problems.
Quezon City police on Saturday said they are now focusing on the suicide angle on their investigation.
San Diego said Saturday that they are focusing on the suicide angle based on the statements of Etong's family and household helpers.
However, San Diego said, even if police conclude that the incident was a suicide attempt, they will still continue the filing of obstruction of justice cases against Failon and his household help.
They are also not yet abandoning the possibility of foul play in the incident, said San Diego.
San Diego had added that the QCPD is still the lead investigating agency despite the NBI having its own probe. They will also compare investigation results, he added.
San Diego denied earlier that he was the one who sent text messages saying that the investigation has been finished and that the result of the bullet trajectory test has been released.
He said he thinks there might be some people who are trying to muddle the investigation. He also appealed to the public not to believe the said text messages.
Friends, colleagues arrive at wake
Relative, friends and colleagues of Failon and the late Trina Etong meanwhile continue to arrive at the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City.
The Solis chapel where the wale for Trina Etong was full Sunday.
Among those who came were Failon’s co-anchor ABS-CBN chief correspondent Korina Sanchez who came with Sen. Manuel Roxas II. Failon’s colleagues in DZMM and ABS-CBN were also seen to extend their condolences to the veteran broadcaster and his daughters.
Failon on Sunday had announced that only relatives and close friends would be allowed to view the remains of his wife. His announcement came after the Arlington management reportedly prohibited the public viewing of Trina’s remains citing the limited space of its chapels. The memorial chapels managements reportedly said the area cannot accommodate a huge number of people who would want to pay their last respects.
Failon has offered his apologies to the public who are planning to come to the wake of his wife who will be cremated on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Failon meanwhile confirmed that he will attend the preliminary investigation on Thursday on the charges of obstruction of justice filed against him by QCPD. With reports from DZMM and Zyann Ambrosio, ABS-CBN News
