AN AMERICAN national was found dead Tuesday dawn, December 5, hanging inside a restroom in the detention cell of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Central Visayas in Cebu City.
Jesse Golden “Daddy” Phinney, 42, who hailed from Massachusetts, USA, allegedly tied a belt around his neck at 1 a.m. inside the NBI 7 detention cell’s comfort room.
“He was supposed to be facing inquest proceedings in court for human trafficking and violations of the Anti-Child Abuse Law. When we interviewed him, he was fine,” Atty. Patricio Bernales Jr., regional director of the NBI 7, said.
A security guard saw Phinney hanging in the comfort room.
A detainee in another cell said she heard noises from Phinney’s cell at 2 a.m. but she didn’t mind them.
NBI arrested Phinney using a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Jacinto Fajardo Jr. of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 66 in Talisay City.
His arrest was made after the NBI received a letter-request from the office of Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who chairs the Provincial Women’s Commission.
The investigation was about the alleged human trafficking activities of Phinney, reportedly involving local children.
Agents of the NBI 7, together with representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), conducted a rescue operation in Phinney’s house in Lawaan, Talisay City last Monday evening.
They confiscated high-end camera equipment, a laptop, tablets, cellphones and hard drives.
There were also children’s toys like teddy bears, dolls, dresses and children’s bikinis.
“The gadgets will be subjected to a forensic examination,” Bernales said.
The regional director said there was no foul play in the death of Phinney.
“We didn’t expect that he would do that because he was cooperative during interviews,” he said.
Dr. Rene Cam, medico-legal officer of the NBI 7, determined Phinney’s death as asphyxia due to hanging. (JOB)