Lawmakers hit manner of arrest of Failon's in-laws, household members

MANILA, Philippines - Lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Friday joined those who criticized the way the Quezon City policemen arrested family members and household help of broadcaster Ted Failon (Teodoro Etong) on Thursday. In a text message to reporters, Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon said police appeared to be "arrest-happy" when they took Pamela and Maximo Arteche, and four of the family's household helpers. "They seem to have gone berserk, and if they appeared to have been trigger-happy in the EDSA shooting, they appear to be arrest-happy in this case," said Biazon, describing the arrest as "outrageous." Biazon was Failon's colleague at the House of Representatives from 2001 to 2004 when the broadcaster was a representative of the first district of Leyte. "I pity Ted and his wife's family for how they are being treated, considering that while it is not yet conclusive, there is strong evidence that it is a case of suicide. Their actions give the impression that the police are giving Ted Failon a 'special treatment'," he added. Failon was charged with obstruction of justice for his failure to report immediately the incident to police and for "disturbing" the crime scene. His house maids cleaned the bathroom where Failon's wife, Trinidad Arteche-Etong, was found bloodied Wednesday, while his driver removed blood stains in the family's Pajero vehicle. Pamela, meanwhile, was included as co-accused because she refused to have her sister undergo paraffin test. Police also took Maximo to Camp Karingal after he tried to stop them from arresting Pamela. For his part, Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño described the manner of the arrest as "unjustifiable and heartless." "The police action last night (Thursday) was the height of incompetence, callousness, and arrogance by the PNP," Casiño said in a text message to reporters. "It was unjustifiable and heartless for the police to take them away from their sister's deathbed," said Casiño. Earlier in the day, Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said the cops who took part in the arrest have been sacked from the team investigating the Failon incident. Failon's wife was found bloodied inside a bathroom in their house in Quezon City on Wednesday, and was subsequently rushed to the New Era General Hospital. Police are still investigating the incident. According to QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit head Senior Superintendent Franklin Moises Mabanag, everyone in the house is either a suspect or a witness until police shall have determined, without doubt, that the victim committed suicide - as claimed by Failon - or whether she was shot on the head by another person. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV