‘Hilaw pa:’ NCRPO chief admits insufficient evidence in Dacera case
Christine Angelica Dacera. Photo from Instagram
MANILA, Philippines — The Makati City police did not have sufficient pieces of evidence when it filed a provisional charge of rape with homicide against 11 suspects tagged in the New Year’s Day death of flight attendant Christine Dacera, National Capital Region Police Office chief Brigadier General Vicente Danao Jr. admitted on Thursday.
“Iyan ang sinabi kaya I am really not that convinced when I read the documents kaya lang dahil nai-file na rin nandoon na rin. Iyong pagka-file ng case dahil sa eagerness ng kapulisan para mai-file ng case. Ako, honestly speaking, kung baga sa mangga, medyo hilaw pa. I must admit so nonetheless, it should not be a reason for us na itigil na ang investigation,” said Danao in an interview on ABS-CBN Teleradyo, reacting to Makati prosecutor’s office decision to refer the complaint back to police for further investigation.
(That’s why I said I am really not that convinced when I read the documents but they already filed it. The filing of the case is due to the eagerness of the police to file the case. For me, honestly, speaking, the complaint is not yet ripe, but that is not a reason for us to stop the investigation.)
“Ang importante makita dito what could be the casue of death para makita po natin at maiwasan at maulit uli ang pangyayari na ito,” he added.
(What is important is that we establish the cause of death to avoid incidents like these.)
Dacera was found unconscious in the bathtub of a hotel room in Makati City, where she celebrated New Year’s Day.
She was brought to Makati Medical Center where she was declared dead on arrival.
Police declared the case “solved” because the suspects behind her death were identified. Three of the 11 suspects were also immediately taken under police custody.
On Wednesday, however, the Makati City prosecutor’s office ordered the release of the three suspects.
The prosecutor’s office said further investigation will determine Dacera’s cause of death and if she was raped and murdered.
