DEATH OF A FLIGHT ATTENDANT | Prosecutor orders release of three men detained over Dacera case

January 6, 2021 , 07:53 PM

(January 6, 2021) – The Makati City prosecutor’s office on Wednesday ordered the release of three men held for questioning in connection with the death of a 23-year-old cabin crew of Philippine Airlines in a Makati hotel on New Year’s Day, asking the police to do more investigation and submit credible evidence to pin down possible suspects.

In a three-page resolution, the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office said it found insufficient evidence to indict the three men who were with Christine Angelica Dacera at the time she was found unconscious in a hotel room bathtub after a night of partying on New Year’s Eve.

“After a thorough investigation of the evidence presented on inquest, this Office finds that there are certain matters that needed to be clarified to determine the participation and culpability of each respondent for the alleged rape and killing of Christine,” the resolution said.

The eight other persons of interest, who remained at large, would also have to undergo the same preliminary investigation in order to find out if the case of homicide with rape filed by the police against them has enough basis.

The prosecutor also set next week, on January 13, a preliminary investigation to determine the circumstances of the case, giving the police enough time to submit evidence, like a DNA analysis report, toxicology or the chemical analysis, as well as a histopath examination.

On Tuesday, national police chief, General Debold Sinas, vowed to hunt down the other men who might shed light on Dacera’s death, giving them a 72-hour ultimatum to surrender despite the absence of a court-issued warrant of arrest.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has summoned the 11 men who partied with Dacera in an effort to assist the Makati City police in speeding up the investigation, which has generated national interest.

Sinas insisted the General Santos City-native flight attendant was raped and killed although there was no proof to show a crime was committed and an initial medico-legal report she died from natural causes – aneurysm.

The medico-legal report also showed no semen was found in her organ and the lacerations were healed indicating there was no sexual assault hours before she was found unconscious. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the Makati Medical Center.

“When we discussed with investigators and other senior officers, I think there is really rape. Yung babae, may bruises, confirmed lacerations, may fluid sa private parts niya,” said Sinas who prematurely claimed the case has already been solved. “We have evidence but we cannot reveal it now because ongoing ang investigation.”

Sinas was speculating when he talked to the press because he did not show any scientific evidence supporting his statements.

The premature filing of rape with homicide against the Dacera’s companions at the hotel has caused public uproar as her mother cried for justice, appealing to the president to help find the truth on her daughter’s death.

Lawmakers rushed to assist the family, offering monetary reward for information that could lead to the prosecution of possible perpetrators.

Some lawyers, however, criticized the sloppy police work and the hasty filing of a vague criminal charge without sufficient evidence, saying the police could have waited to conclude its investigation before filing an air tight case.

The Commission on Human Rights cautioned against Sinas’ earlier pronouncements against the accused without undergoing due process.

“As much as we all want to immediately find out the truth about Christine’s death, the Commission reminds authorities to abide by their own rules and procedures to not cast any doubt in the regularity of police operations, as actions taken at the onset of the investigation play a pivotal role in the full and transparent resolution of the case,” Jacqueline Ann de Guia, CHR commissioner, said in a statement.

“These standards must be carried out in full accordance with the rule of law while ensuring that the rights of all parties involved are respected.”

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