MANILA, Philippines — Some suspects in the alleged killing of flight attendant Christine Angelica Dacera have made “initial contacts” with the police, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas.
“We are appealing to the family, if you believe walang kasalanan ang anak o kamag-anak ninyo, surrender. Our lines are open,” he said in a press briefing after meeting the family of Dacera on Wednesday.
“Some of them have already made initial contact at pinu-push through po namin ‘yun,” he added.
On Tuesday, Sinas issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the eight of 11 persons being tagged as suspects in the death of Dacera to surrender to authorities or be hunted down “using force if necessary.”
The Makati City police filed a provisional charge of rape with homicide against the 11 individuals, including Dacera’s three friends who were with her at the New Year’s Eve party in a hotel, before the prosecutor’s office. Only three were placed under police custody.
The PNP earlier said the case of Dacera is considered “solved” as they have identified the “suspects” in Dacera’s death.
Sinas also warned suspects that they may face contempt charges from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) if they fail to surrender within the 72-hour period.
He said the CIDG has already issued subpoenas for the eight individuals being accused in the suspected killing of the 23-year-old flight attendant. The CIDG will be assisting the Makati City police in investigating the incident.
“That’s why binigyan ko ng (I gave them) time because after, [kung] hindi sila magpakita (if they don’t appear), we will now be filing, the CIDG will be filing direct contempt,” Sinas noted.
Sinas also stood by the police’s rape-slay angle in the death of Dacera.
“When we have discussed with investigators and other senior officers, I think there is really rape. ‘Yung babae, may (The woman has) bruises, confirmed lacerations, may fluid sa (fluids in her) private parts niya,” he said.
“We have evidence but we could not reveal it now because ongoing ang investigation (the investigation is ongoing),” he added.
He also said there could be more suspects following an analysis of the hotel CCTV footage.
On January 1, Dacera was found unconscious in an empty bathtub of the City Garden Hotel in Makati City after a night spent partying with friends. She was brought to a nearby hospital where she was declared dead on arrival.