DOJ chief now wants NBI to do separate probe on Dacera case

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. INQUIRER FILE/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — From assisting the police in investigating the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra now ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a separate probe on the case.

Last Wednesday, Guevarra said there is no more need to issue a department order as the NBI will only be assisting the PNP in its investigation.

“I’m not issuing a DO [Department Order] because my directive to the NBI is to assist the PNP in the investigation, particularly on the medico-legal aspect of the case, rather than to conduct a separate probe,” Guevarra said last Wednesday.

What changed Guevarra’s mind?

He said: “With all due respect, the initial investigation by the Makati police was not thorough enough, prompting the inquest prosecutors to refer the case for further investigation and release the respondents in the meantime.”

“From the DOJ’s viewpoint, the case build-up will be faster if the NBI acts independently note that the preliminary investigation has already been set on January 13,” Guevarra said.

In Department Order 006 issued Friday, Guevarra tasked NBI Officer-In-Charge Eric Distor to conduct the investigation, and if evidence warrants, file the necessary charges against anyone involved.

The NBI has 10 days to submit a progress report, and periodically thereafter.

The complaint filed by the police against the 11 suspects has been remanded to the police due to insufficiency of evidence. The prosecutors told the police to submit DNA, toxicology, and histopath reports.

Dacera was found unconscious in the bathtub of her hotel room in Makati City on New Year’s Day following a party with friends the night before.

A medico-legal report stated that she died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm.

JPV