Police exec divulged information on Failon wife shooting- DOJ chief says

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on Thursday revealed that a police official who "feels competent enough" to unlock the mystery behind the death of broadcaster Ted Failon's wife has approached him to relay “very detailed" information about the case. Gonzalez said the police official, who requested anonymity, claimed to be the among the first ones to arrive at Failon's residence in Tierra Pura Homes, Quezon City on April 15, the date Trinidad Arteche Etong was found with a gunshot wound in the head. "There was a police officer who visited me. He was telling me a lot of things about his findings and conclusions, claiming he was one of the first who arrived at the house of Ted Failon" on April 15, the date Trinidad Arteche Etong was found with a gunshot wound in the head. "He told me he is connected with the Quezon City police and would like to help clear the situation because of the conflicting stories coming out and he feels he is competent enough," the Department of Justice (DOJ) chief said. Failon’s family and house helpers have maintained that Etong committed suicide. Failon said in his affidavit that it was he who brought his wife to the New Era General Hospital in Quezon City when he and his maids found him lying in a pool of blood at the comfort room in their house. She died the next day in the same hospital. Her body was cremated Wednesday, April 22, at the Arlington Memorial Chapel crematory. Quezon City Police District investigators, however, charged Failon and his helpers with obstruction of justice for cleaning the crime scene of evidence that could help resolve the case. Gonzalez said among the information relayed to him by the official was the alleged conversation between Failon and one of his household helps. "I thought it was quite important what he was talking about the conversation of Ted Failon and one of the housemaid regarding the getting of the key," he said, adding that the man also narrated something about “blood traces." Gonzalez said he believes the official was credible and his testimonies "would be crucial because the police were the first ones to undertake the investigation [and] they had the first opportunity to visit the scene of the incident." "I think so," said Gonzalez when asked if the police man was credible, "why will someone come and offer a story?" Go to NBI Although he listened to the story, Gonzalez said he told the police that it would be better if he narrates his story to the National Bureau of Investigation, which has been tasked to take over the investigation. Nonetheless, he said he wanted to “dissect the findings later on because there are many angles to look at here until now." Gonzalez earlier said that he was “not impressed" with what he called efforts to condition the public into accepting Etong’s death. He also expressed dismay over the two Failon-tapped forensic consultants, who suggested that Etong likely shot herself. Apart from the suicide angle, police are also considering parricide because the scene of the incident and the car that was used to rush Trina to the hospital were all cleaned even before investigators could take a took at them. They also said that it was not Failon but the hospital that reported the crime. Failon denied having a hand in his wife’s death and blamed the police for getting back at him for his hard-hitting commentaries. Police downplayed Failon’s accusations, saying they were just doing their job. To ensure fair investigation, the NBI requested Failon if they could conduct another autopsy on his wife. But the news anchor turned down their request, NBI Nestor Mantaring has said. Gonzalez said Failon has the right to reject the NBI’s request “although I agree it would’ve been best if the NBI was able to perform [autopsy]." - GMANews.TV