Police complaint vs suspects in Dacera case 'incomplete, premature' – Prosecutor General | Inquirer News

Police complaint vs suspects in Dacera case ‘incomplete, premature’ – Prosecutor General

/ 07:31 PM January 07, 2021

MANILA, Philippines — “It is incomplete, premature.”

Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said this Thursday, as he explained the step of the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office to send the complaint back to the Makati City Police “for further investigation.”

According to him, the evidence needed to establish a case has been lacking in the complaint filed by the police against 11 suspects in the death of 23-year-old Christine Dacera.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I can say that [the complaint is] premature, that is our finding. If it is sufficient, we could have dismissed it outright or decide to file the case [in court]. So, in so far as our procedures, it is incomplete, premature,” Malcontento, head of the National Prosecution Service (NPS), said over CNN Philippine’s The Source.

FEATURED STORIES

The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office is under the NPS of the Department of Justice.

First, on the claim that semen was found on the private part of Dacera, Malcontento said “there was no such thing.”

Article continues after this advertisement

As to the reported bruises on Dacera, he said only the flight attendant’s cousin testified about it.

Article continues after this advertisement

“So we must have an independent medical exam on that. There must be a scientific, medical basis that should be submitted by the PNP (Philippine National Police) so that such allegation will stand out,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

He also said that the death certificate included in the police’s complaint stated that Dacera’s cause of death was an aneurysm.

“It will not lead to a conclusion as to who did it and if there really is foul play. Walang other findings toxicology report, chemical analysis, histopath, these are the documents that we want,” Malcontento pointed out.

Article continues after this advertisement

He said the initial investigation is an opportunity for the police to submit the documents in order to strengthen their complaint of rape with homicide.

So, what will happen then to PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas’ 72-hour deadline for the alleged suspects in Dacera’s case to surrender to authorities?

“Taking into account that we have issued an order for preliminary investigation, the venue of the case is with the prosecutor, it is no longer with the police,” Malcontento said.

“Whose order should be followed? It is us at this point in time,” he added.

KGA

RELATED STORY

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

House probe sought on PNP’s ‘mishandling’ of Dacera case

TAGS: Christine Dacera, Makati, Police

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.