Chiz on the death of Trina Etong

I express deep and serious concern over the way the Philippine National Police, the Quezon City Police Department in particular, handled the arrests of the kin and household members of Ted Failon. The overzealousness of the police authorities has trampled upon the rights of these people.

The right of the state to preserve peace and order is as equally important as the protection of the right of the people to due process. The death of a person, in this case of Mrs. Trinidad Etong, is not an excuse to violate the human rights of other people.

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, I wish to remind the Philippine National Police to strictly observe the procedures on conducting investigations. The PNP should be impartial and professional at all times.

I take this opportunity to express our deepest condolences to Ted Failon, his children and the entire Arteche family. My family and I offer our prayers that they find strength in this time of bereavement.