What happened to Philippine ABS-CBN anchor Ted Failon’s wife, Trina Arteche Etong, was unfortunate. My deepest condolences go the family at this time when the whole family is mourning of her untimely demise. But like the rest of those who have worked or are still working in the media, the incident that put the Failons in the spotlight is not new anymore. There are always vultures in the midst of things.
As we can see, the media have been feasting on what seemed to be a crime that allegedly linked the involvement of an active and prominent broadcaster in the death of his wife. But despite the children’s pleading to the police that their mom took her own life, the police, who may have had the chance to get back at the broadcaster because of his hard-hitting ‘Hoy Gising’ series many years ago. Perhaps, the police may have thought that it is about time for them to make things even.
Police investigators may been right when they hauled off Ted Failon and his wife’s sisters to Camp Karingal for further investigation simply because he may have a hand in the cleaning up of all the evidences at the crime scene, which was tantamount to ‘obstruction of justice’. But the ridicule and humiliations that the family is getting at this point is insurmountable considering how things were handled inappropriately. What the police did could be misconstrued as another show of force and intimidation on the part of the Failon family. It is only appropriate that the PNP Internal Affairs and the National Police Commission should investigate the handling of the criminal cases against Ted Failon, et al.
I don’t think that relieving those respondible for the illegal arrest of broadcaster Ted Failon and his in-laws even if the criminal case has not been formally filed in the proper court is not enough. What can you expect from this kind of police who don’t use their common sense and respect for the rights of others? If they can do it to a prominent mediaman and broadcaster, how much more for ordinary citizens?. Perhaps, the police may have thought that it is about time for them to make things even.
Like the rest of the ordinary observers, I never would believe that the subordinates would follow without the orders from the higher ups? Who these monsters are, I have no way of knowing. But NCRPO chief has already ordered the relief of those involved in the rough arrest of Ted Failon and some of his family members.