Ted Failon's Wife Alleged Suicide: Update

Quezon City, Philippines, 16 April 2009--At around one o'clock in the afternoon today, members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the Central Police District (CPD) arrested three househelps and the driver of ABS-CBN Ted Failon. Police invited them for questioning, according to CPD Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales. At around 6:45 in the evening, they were then brought to the Q.C. Fiscal's Office. Police sources say they are being charged with obstruction of justice.

Meanwhile, Trinidad "Trina" Arteche-Etong's condition has reportedly improved, although she's still at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the New Era University General Hospital. She's being attended to by his sister, Pamela, and eldest daughter Kaye.

Kaye believes that her mother committed suicide. Though Kaye was not privy as to what caused her mother to shoot herself in the head, the eldest daughter said she believes that her father is not responsible for the incident.

Meanwhile, Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary Raul Gonzales already placed Ted in the BID watchlist and ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to assist the CPD in the investigation. He also gave a stern written warning to the Public Attorney's Office (PAO), admonishing PAO Chief Atty. Perci Acosta not to meddle into the case.

A few minutes ago, the NBI already entered the house of Ted Failon. They are there to reconstruct the incident.

Here are other latest updates about the shooting incident, according to statements made by Failon and other witnesses:

1. Ted's driver Glen narrated that he, together with Ted Failon, returned to Tierra Pura at around 1 pm after they sent Trina to the New Era hospital. This conflicts with the narration of Ted's maid who said that the two went back to the house at around 4pm.

2. A maid cleaned the Walter PKK .380 caliber pistol. The househelp reportedly found the gun at the right side of Trina. This corroborated initial findings. The pistol was then placed inside the drawer prior to the arrival of the police. Ted was the one who gave the pistol, along with his license, to the police.

3. CPD S.O.C.O. team found blood smudges on the white bathroom tiles, using ultraviolet light. They also saw where the bullet ricochetted after the initial blast. This is a material finding since it would establish if the victim was standing or sitting when the shooting occurred.

4. Ted Failon was found negative of gunpowder residue. However, CPD Chief Supt. Rosales said, the finding is inconclusive. Ted's wife, Trina, is still not processed for paraffin tests by the cops. CPD CIDU Chief Col. Mabanag was not able to do his job because he was prevailed upon by the relatives of Ted Failon, according to radio reports.

5. Police already ruled out the note as a "suicide" letter. Rosales said that the note is more of a letter of apology rather than a suicide note. Besides, the letter was written the night prior to the shooting incident and was left by Trina in the dining table where Ted discovered it the morning after. Kaye said that it was her mother who wrote the letter.