NBI's findings: Failon's wife committed suicide

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced yesterday that based on evidence, Trinidad Arteche-Etong, wife of ABS-CBN news anchor Ted Failon committed suicide.

Trinidad was found with a gunshot wound to her head inside a bathroom of their house on No. 27 General Aquino Street, Tierra Pura Subdivision in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, last April 15.

Failon (Mario Teodoro Failon Etong in real life), a news anchor of ABS-CBN TV Patrol, had claimed that his wife committed suicide due to financial problems, and Trinidad’s relatives supported Failon’s claim. Trinidad died the next day at the New Era General Hospital in Quezon City.

In a six-page statement issued during a press conference at NBI headquarters in Manila, NBI Director Nestor Mantaring said: “After careful perusal of the testimonial evidence and conscientious evaluation of the results, recommendations and conclusions of the criminalists, working as a team, as regards their investigative, technical, scientific, medical and psychiatric analyses, the NBI concluded that Trinidad Arteche-Etong indeed committed suicide.”

Mantaring said that the NBI, supported by all its findings and investigative leads after a month-long investigation, has now established and concluded that “no other person was present, or was with Trina inside the bathroom the moment the trigger was pulled and that the victim has the capability, motive and means of doing such act.”

The NBI extensively focused on an essential part of the investigation.

Part of its official report revealed the findings of the NBI Neuro Psychiatric Section (NPS) in its psychological autopsy conducted which declared that the victim suffered from “Major Depressive Disorder.”

The NPS explained that this mental condition is characterized by the presence of depressed mood most of the day, nearly everyday as indicated either by subjective report (Trina expressed her sadness regarding losing their money) or observation made by others (Trina was described by her family and friends to be tearful and at times, in deep thought); insomnia nearly everyday (Trina mentioned to her friend Joy Tan that she was unable to sleep much during her trip to Cebu).

The disorder includes feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (Trina mentioned that she cannot face Ted with what she had done, and that she will feel worthless if Ted would not trust her anymore); diminished ability to think or concentrate (Trina had exhibited poor judgment as she was planning to falsify bank statements just to buy some time); recurrent suicidal ideation, with a specific plan for committing suicide (Trina mentioned this not just to Joy Tan and Criselda Francisco but also to her sister Pamela in her last text message in which she asked forgiveness for what she was about to do).

“These and other facts narrated and witnessed by the victim’s friends, relatives and husband convinced them that Trinidad was in a state of Major Depressive Disorder several days prior to the consummation of her ultimate way of escaping her anguish,” said the NBI report.

National Capital Region (NCR) Division chief lawyer Edward Villarta, head of the investigating team, released the report to media.

The report said that the NBI-NCR also conducted a time and motion study on the possibility that Failon might have perpetrated the act, that he went to the second floor of their house, particularly to the room of their daughter Kaye, took the victim inside the comfort room, shot her, closed and locked the doors and returned to the kitchen.

However, the NBI pointed out that Failon did not have the time to do these acts.

The report also cited that during the case conference held between NBI investigators and forensic experts and the Quezon City Police District-Scene of the Crime Operatives on April 28, among the agreed points was that the concentration of blood was found in Kaye’s bathroom, indicating that the shooting took place in the area.

The NBI also said the point of entry of the gunshot wound is the right temple area while the point of exit is the left temple area with the slug producing massive destruction intracranially, particularly of the brain substance and basal aspect of the cranium resulting in death.

“There were also no other physical injuries noted on Trinidad,” the NBI further said.

Quezon City Police District Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU) had earlier investigated Failon and other members of his household for possible cover-up of the incident.

The QCPD had filed charges of obstruction of justice against Failon, his driver Glen Polan, houseboy Pacifico Apacible, nanny Wilfreda Bollester, housemaid Carlota Morbos, and Trinidad’s sister Pamela Arteche.

QCPD investigators said the house helpers had cleaned the bathroom where Trinidad was found while the driver cleaned the Mitsubishi Pajero that was used to transport the victim to hospital. The house helpers claimed that they cleaned the crime scene on their own.

Investigators said Failon might have obstructed justice when he gave limited details to the authorities and refused to surrender his mobile phone.

Failon’s group denied that they committed obstruction of justice when they cleaned up the crime scene.

Failon to take a break

Failon’s lawyer Alfred Molo said his client wants to take a break first and spend quality time with his kids.

He said the broadcaster and his family could now move on and start anew after the NBI findings came out.

“This is the time to spend some quality time with his kids after all these events,” Molo said.

He said they have to sit down and talk about the counter-charges they would file against members of the Quezon City Police District for the violent arrest of members of the Failon household.

Chief Superintendent Elmo San Diego, Quezon City Police District director, said they respect the finding of the NBI that the case was a suicide.

“The NBI findings have to be respected,” San Diego said. “To us, that’s good. That’s their findings anyway.” San Diego, said they were ready to face any case that Failon will file against them.

“We’re open and ready to face any case they intend to file against us. That’s part of our job as policemen. Our investigators followed the process in handling the case,” San Diego said. – With Dennis Carcamo, Reinir Padua