Ok, this is a long-overdue post. A lot has been already said about the supposed suicide try of news anchor Ted Failon’s wife, Trina Arteche-Etong. And whether my opinion is valid or not–and altogether unsolicited: I believe it was really suicide. It would be hard for a daughter (just what Kaye Etong did) to admit her mother took her own life. And yes, this argument may be leaning on the emotional side but well, I felt that Failon was telling the truth.
The greatest tragedy here, however, lies with the Philippine National Police, or the Quezon City Police District specifically. Having covered the PNP–a beat I loved so much–for years makes me think what QCPD CIU people did was a nightmare. I know most policemen were not as rude. I have always believed that Mamang Pulis should be trusted and they are merely misunderstood, which probably roots from the negative portrayal of their jobs in Filipino movies.
The events last week, however, have proven that policemen have got to clean their ranks more than ever. The fact that Superintendent Franklin Mabanag (who had been a good source for breaking news info when I was covering the PNP) disrespected the grieving family of Failon makes me want to shout! I wouldn’t be surprised too if Trina came down from heaven and told people she gave up her battle with life upon hearing the commotion outside her hospital room.
I covered the inquest at the QC RTC for Failon’s househelps and sister-in-law for the obstruction of justice and witnessed how bad Mabanag treated Failon’s family, at least emotionally.
Trina’s sisters had to learn about her death at the QC RTC because they were forcibly taken away from her deathbed. And when Mean, Trina’s sister went hysterical (click for video) after learning Trina passed away, Mabanag would only say: “Bakit ako ba ang pumatay?” How insensitive can he be? Yes, he is a policeman and he ought to be tough. But being a policeman doesn’t mean you should be inhumane.
The suspension he and his men got serve them right. It’s about time they learn that death is a painful phase.
May Trina rest in peace. And for the first time, I want to see Failon back in TV Patrol. He needs justice too.
hanapin si Fabian Ver!
ReplyDeleteThe QCPD action was really baseless and overboard.
ReplyDeleteThey are saying there was obstruction of justice, so they have to arrest the members of the Arteche-Etong househelp and family. This claim in itself is very, very wrong. How can there be an alleged obstruction of justice when they are still in the process of finding out whether or not a crime was committed? What was there to obstruct, in the first place? One does not need to be a lawyer to understand this.
Obviously, the "obstruction of justice" case was just raised for them to determine whether or not there was parricide. And this, obviously, is very wrong. There is another label to this - fishing expedition. Sadly, it was a rude, heartless fishing expedition, at the expense of those taken into police custody.
Besides, even if there was indeed an "obstruction of justice" case, I don't think it is as serious as "murder" or "rape" or "terrorism" that the possible suspects can no longer be allowed to spend time with their struggling loved ones.
Mabanag was also a generous, willing source of information during my reporter days. But his character was already tainted when he harassed Raona (tama ba spelling ko) Crisostomo of GMA 7 and her team. And then, this recent case.
Nakakagigil 'tong mga pulis at 'yang si Mabanag. Ginawa pa nyang comfort fan ang suicide letter ni Trina.
ReplyDeleteasan na ba kasi siya?????!! hahahaha! :)
ReplyDeletepapa ron! naku ginagalit talaga tayo nitong mga pulis na ito! pati ikaw na mabait ay nagalit na! hehe :)
ReplyDeletei agree, wala pang obstruction of justice kasi wala panag established crime..yun din yung argument nung lawyer ni Failon. :)
Wala talaga silang mga puso!
ay naku, korek. pag nakikita ko si mabanag, hay nahihighblood ako!! :P
ReplyDeleteayan, dinismiss raw ng QC Prosecutor's Office yung obstruction of justice charge ng QCPD against Etong, et. al. ... dapat, mag-countercharge sina Ted sa QCPD kasi para sa wala din lang pala yung pagpapahirap sa kanila... :)
ReplyDeletekorek! buti nalang :D obvious naman insufficient evidence e :)
ReplyDelete