It could be suicide, says expert tapped by Failon

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of Ted Failon has been floating the angle that the news anchor’s wife, Trinidad Arteche Etong, committed suicide. But as far as the Department of Justice (DOJ) is concerned, statements from Failon's camp are mere “anticipatory announcements" that could preempt the outcome of the investigation being conducted by the government. On Tuesday, another forensic expert hired by the Failon family claimed that based on her autopsy, Etong likely shot herself. According to Dr. Rachel Fortun, Etong’s gunshot wound in the head appeared “self-inflicted" and “intentional." “If you have close range fire, this is very much consistent with suicide and therefore, self-inflicted and intentional injury. Of course, we have to consider the circumstantial instances, what people say, and the physical evidence. And based on the information available to me so far, it’s consistent with suicide," Fortun, whose services was tapped by the Failon family, said during a press conference in Quezon City. Fortun’s findings were similar to that of Dr. Erwin Erfe, another forensic expert connected with the Public Attorney’s Office who was also personally requested by Failon to conduct an autopsy on Etong. According to Erfe, the contusion of bruise created by the bullet that pierced through the right temple of Etong was “uniform," indicating that Failon’s wife shot herself. Erfe added that if Failon - who is 5' 10" high - was the one who shot his wife - 5' 2" - the contusion would not have been perpendicular. Wait for outcome of investigation But DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez scored the experts’ findings as “anticipatory announcements." "That seems to be an anticipatory announcement. I think the more prudent approach would be to wait for the investigation to be finished," Gonzalez told reporters on Tuesday. He said the opinions from private experts would only derail the investigation being conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), an attached agency of the DOJ. Gonzalez said statements from Failon’s camp could shape public opinion and preempt government's probe "The moment a contrary opinion comes out, then there will be a debate. Then everything will be tainted and subject to speculations," he said. Gonzalez also questioned who gave Fortun and Erfe the authority to disclose their findings and observations, which he said should not have been allowed to be stated in public in the first place. The secretary said it would be up to the NBI whether it would incorporate Fortun and Erfe’s findings in the bureau's report. "I suppose the NBI has enough expertise. My instruction to the NBI is simply to find out whether it’s parricide or suicide," he said. Asked whether the NBI could hold press conferences and make announcements on its findings on Etong’s death, Gonzalez said: "They should just make a report, a conclusion, and that’s it." Etong died Thursday night, April 16, succumbing to cranial injuries, a day after Failon brought her to New Era General Hospital in Quezon City - GMANews.TV