By Ben Rosario A senior administration congressman today called for a police investigation into the mysterious death of an American filmmaker whose suicide inside a National Bureau of Investigation detention cell in Cebu had been questioned by a private forensic pathologist who examined his remains. Cebu City Map (Photo courtesy of Google Map) “Police investigation is absolutely necessary,” Cebu Rep. Raul del Mar said in a text message to the Manila Bulletin. Del Mar issued the appeal after learning that the family of Jesse Phinney, 42, an American cinematographer and a Boston native, has contested the NBI claim that he hanged himself at the comfort room of his detention cell on December 5, 2017. Dr. Elizabeth Laposata, an American pathologist reportedly commissioned by Phinney’s family, disclosed that in her autopsy of the remains, she concluded that Phinney suffered “blunt-force trauma” and that his body showed markings that do not conform to the official NBI findings that ruled suicide as the cause of death. Phinney was found dead four hours after he was arrested by NBI operatives for suspicion of human trafficking and violation of the Anti-Child Abuse Law. Laposata’s autopsy findings bolstered suspicions earlier aired by Phinney’s family that he was a victim of foul play. According to reports Phinney’s body showed “deep bruises” that were apparently inflicted on him two or four hours before he died. Also noted was a suspicious mark on his neck. Prior to his death, Phinney was scheduled to be taken to the prosecutor for inquest. He was arrested on the strength of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Jacinto Fajardo of the Regional Trial Court of Talisay City.