OFWs air sentiments on Failon incident
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 04/20/2009 5:57 PM
Printer-friendly version | 
Send to friend | 
Share your views
The situation now faced by the Failon family gained different opinions from Filipinos around the globe.
“Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family…Mabuhay ka, Ted,” said an email sent by the Gironella family based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Gironella family expressed their disappointment over the actions of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) against Ted Failon’s in-laws and household workers.
“Much disappointed with what the police authority did to the in-laws of Ted Failon as well as the kasambahay--they need justice,” the Gironella family said.
They added that the broadcast journalist must not give up his career, and that “God will guide him throughout this mess”.
Police are investigating the alleged suicide of Failon’s wife, Trinidad “Trina” Etong. Failon said he found his wife unconscious at their Tierra Pura home last Wednesday morning and quickly rushed her to hospital where she died last Thursday.
Police have not ruled out the possibility of foul play in Etong's death despite statements by Etong's friends and family that she had been contemplating suicide.
The right move
Another Filipino who sent a feedback through Bayan Mo I-Patrol Mo stated that the incident further bolstered their resolve to settle in another country.
“Dito sa Ireland, nasusubaybayan namin ang mga pangyayari sa atin, lalo na yung tungkol kay Ted. Lalo naming naiisip na tama lang siguro ang aming desisyon na dito na lang mamuhay hanggang sa aming pagtanda,” said dumagat57.
Dumagat57 also criticized the response of QCPD-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit Chief Superintendent Franklin Mabanag and his men to the incident.
“Nakapanghihilakbot ang kawalan ng damdamin ni Sr. Supt. Mabanag at ng kanyang mga tauhan. Pinatunayan lamang nila na sa Pilipinas ay survival of the fittest talaga ang laban. Para tayong mga animal na walang pakialam kung anuman ang kasalukuyang kundisyon ng ating prey,” dumagat57 added.
Dumagat57 added that the entire police force must “undergo psychiatric evaluation and study to improve their competency and manners”.
“Napakasarap maranasan mo na ikaw ay iginagalang ng may kapangyarihan. Dapat ipakita ng gubyerno na may kalalagyan ang mga pulis na ito, di lamang relief from investigation. Some heads must roll,” the letter-sender stated.
Forced arrest
On Monday, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said that Mabanag, Deputy Gerardo Ratuita and four other members of the CIDU have been placed on a 30-day preventive suspension while under investigation for the alleged forced arrest of Etong’s relatives.
Television footages showed Etong’s siblings’ pleading to authorities not to arrest one of their sisters, Pamela Trinchera, at the hospital where Trina was fighting for her life.
“Napanood ko kung paano dinampot ng mga pulis ang mga kamag-anak ni Trina, at paulit-ulit kong pinapanood ang scene na ito sa tuwing ipapakita ito sa mga news. Grabe, akala mo kung sino silang makapangyarihan para gamitan ng dahas at pwersa ang mga mga taong sinasabi nilang suspect. Habang pinapanood ko ito, galit na galit ako, dapat sa mga pulis ay alisin na ng tuluyan sa serbisyo at ng di pa maparisan ng ibang kapwa nila pulis,” said another Filipino, vivianalvar.
Disappointing
Rose Jacob from Long Beach, California found the cops’ action as very disappointing.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this very difficult time Mr. Ted Failon. I have been watching the news, and it's awful how the policemen treats the kin of Trina and you Mr. Ted Failon. It's very wrong, in-humane. I really feel very sad for Trina's family and Ted's family on how they are mistreated,” said
.
Meanwhile, other Filipinos have offered words of encouragement to Failon and his two daughters.
“Be strong and always help God's guidance in your fight for truth. We are always beside you,” said Boy Villaflor from Qatar.
A Filipina based in Kuwait explained that the people whom police have “invited” for questioning are still innocent.
“Mukhang hindi maganda yung pagkaka-invite ng mga pulis doon sa suspect nila. Dahil suspect pa lang, dapat hindi nila tini-treat ng ganun. Invite nila hindi yung hahawakan sa kwelyo or nakita ko pa tinutulak. Hindi yata maganda yun. Kahit papaano mayroon pa rin silang karapatan,” said Jinky Soriano.
Filing of charge backed
An OFW in Qatar, meanwhile, backed the obstruction of justice charge filed against Failon and his household workers,
"If ang intention ni Ted Failon protektahan 'yung asawa niya, definitely hindi niya pinakialaman 'yung crime scene, ang problema parang nilinis pa 'yung kotse, nilinis pa 'yung CR, nilinis pa 'yung buong bahay. Papaano nila malalaman kung sino ang pumatay doon sa kanyang asawa?” said Banjo Patron.
William Mendoza, who is also from Qatar, defended police by saying that the arrest was a normal process.
“Pero as much as possible dapat laging nasa procedure ho tayo, huwag hong mag-aabuso sa ating kapwa," he said.
For Manolo Guno, his only hope is that the results of the investigation would be fair.
“Sana naman ay ang maging resulta niyan ay parehas, makatarungan at 'yung makikilala ng mga Pilipino na naging parehas ang lahat both media, authorities at 'yung mga taong ma-iinvolve sa imbestigayong 'yan," Guno said. With reports from Maxxy Santiago and Delfin Montenegro of ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau
Comments