NBI to release Etong report today

MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation is set to release today the final investigation report on the death of Trinidad Arteche-Etong, wife of ABS-CBN news anchor Ted Failon.

NBI Director Nestor Mantaring said Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez had ordered the NBI to investigate the shooting a day after Etong was found shot in the head in the bathroom of their house in Quezon City.

“It was a joint investigation with the Quezon City police,” he said.

Mantaring said the NBI had shared information with the Quezon City police in conducting the investigation.

On the technical aspect, NBI experts in forensics and chemistry and medico-legal doctors had conducted the tests, he added.

Gonzalez had ordered NBI spokesman Ricardo Diaz to keep silent on the matter after he told reporters that “all roads on the NBI’s investigation were leading to suicide.”

The NBI based their findings mostly on interviews with Failon’s household, including his househelpers, driver, close relatives and friends who knew Etong.

Agents also conducted ballistics tests on the gun, studied the autopsy report of the Philippine National Police, and examined bloodstains, gunpowder residues and other evidences.

The NBI also conducted psychological autopsy, or profiling.

During the NBI investigation, Mantaring removed Head Agent Arnel Dalumpines, NBI Special Task Force chief, from the case and replaced him with NBI-National Capital Region Director Edward Villarta.

No reason was given for Dalumpines’ relief.

Doctors at the New Era Hospital declared Etong, 45, brain dead from a bullet wound in her right temple.

Police said the incident happened at around 10:30 a.m. on April 15 at the couple’s home.

Failon, Mario Teodoro Failon Etong in real life, said his wife had committed suicide. — Sandy Araneta