NBI imposes news blackout on Failon’s wife death

05/07/2009

After it was reprimanded by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday said it would not issue anymore any statement regarding the death of Trinidad “Trina” Etong, wife of broadcaster Ted Failon, until the results of the investigation are final.

“We respect the secretary’s (Gonzalez) decision. We will not be issuing anymore press briefings until after the results of the investigation of the case are out,” said lawyer Ricardo Diaz, the designated spokesman for Etong’s case.

Gonzalez earlier had reprimanded Diaz for issuing a statement even as the NBI investigation was still ongoing.

The Justice secretary was reacting to the statement of Diaz that their investigation was leaning to suicide based on the results of the NBI’s initial probe. Gonzalez told Diaz that he should not issue such statement and wait for the final results of the NBI’s investigation.

“We will wait for the results of the investigation. The investigation will be continuous. We will be in guidance of our secretary,” Diaz added.

However, Diaz refused to elaborate why he was ordered by Gonzalez to stop media interviews. “I don’t know why… I think it is obvious,” Diaz said without elaborating.

Diaz earlier had said based on its initial probe, the testimonial evidence supports the physical evidence gathered at the scene of incident as he added “failed investment” could have triggered Etong to “commit suicide.”

“All roads leading to the direction of suicide. But we have to wait for the results of the analysis of the handwriting specimens, official report of the ballistic, complete statements from witnesses and other things, before we can officially say that it was a case of suicide,” Diaz said. Pat C. Santos

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