According to latest reports, veteran broadcaster Ted Failon was brought to Camp Karingal in Quezon City late Wednesday night, April 15, to give his statement to the police on the shooting incident involving his wife, Trinidad "Trina" Etong.
Trina is still in critical condition after sustaining a wound in her head. She is still in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the New Era Hospital in Quezon City.
The investigators are looking into two possible angles—suicide and foul play.
SUICIDE OR FOUL PLAY? Initial findings of the investigators claim that it was Failon who shot his wife on the morning of Wednesday, April 15.
But this was immediately dismissed by Superintendent Franklin Moises Mabanag, chief of the QCPD Criminal Investigation Detection Unit. In an interview, Mabanag said that investigators are looking into the possibility that Failon’s wife tried to commit suicide.
According to a statement from Failon that he sent to the media, through ABS-CBN Corporate Communications of his home network, he found his wife in the bathroom of their home in Tierra Pura Homes in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.
His statement reads in full:
"Hindi ko na tinapos ang aking programa sa DZMM kaninang umaga matapos kong makausap ang aking asawa sa telepono. Kaya umuwi ako kaagad at natagpuan kong nakakandado ang pinto ng banyo. Pinabuksan ko ang pinto at natagpuan ko ang aking asawa na duguan kung kaya't itinakbo ko siya agad sa ospital."
There was also reportedly a suicide note left by Trina, which reads:
“Papa, I’m so sorry. Gustung-gusto ko ang magsabi sa iyo ng totoo pero hindi ko po alam kung paano uumpisahan. Sobrang takot na takot ako. Umalis muna ako, kasi hindi ko kaya at nahihiya akong humarap sa iyo. Sana po mapatawad mo ako, papa. Sorry, sorry papa – Mama"
Trina was believed to have shot herself with Failon's gun inside their bathroom.
THE INVESTIGATION. In a report by 24 Oras earlier tonight, Mabanag was at the house of the Failons. Mabanag said that all the procedures, including paraffin test, will be done inside the house.
According to Mabanag, all of the residents of the house are now considered suspects, including Failon—whose real name is Mario Teodoro Failon Etong.
In connection with this, a news website reported that the Quezon City Police is going to arrest Failon for "obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence" in the shooting of his wife.
Mabanag told the media that they have enough information to arrest Failon for the two charges in connection with his wife’s shooting inside their residence on Wednesday morning.
FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE. Earlier this afternoon, April 15, ABS-CBN issued this statement to the media: "We appeal to everyone to please respect the privacy of Ted and his family. His wife is fighting for her life." This is after reports came out that the couple were involved in a "shooting incident."
PEP tried to confirm a report claiming that Failon's wife is allegedly brain dead by sending a text message to ABS-CBN Corporate Communications Head Bong Osorio. He sent us this reply: "We are awaiting medical [report]."
However, New Era Hospital refused to give specific information about the condition of Trina. This is after Failon instructed them not to give any details to the media.