Robredo slams ‘irresponsible’ handling of Dacera case

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday slammed as “irresponsible” the handling of the case surrounding the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera, who was found unconscious in a hotel bathtub in Makati City on New Year’s Day.

Robredo said it was irresponsible for authorities to declare the case closed while investigation was ongoing and without referring to evidence.

“Para sa akin, napaka-irresponsible na sabihin mo na ‘case closed’, napaka-irresponsible na sabihin mo na ito iyong dahilan, na wala ka pang basehan,” she said in her weekly radio show BiSerbisyong Leni.

(For me, it was irresponsible to declare the case ‘closed’, it was really irresponsible that that was the reason without evidence.)

“Unang una, ang laking kasalanan noon sa pamilya ng namatay, na hindi klaro sa kanila kung paano namatay iyong kanilang anak,” she added.

(It is a big offense against the family of the deceased, especially when it’s not clear what really happened.)

“Hindi makatarungan iyon doon sa mga madadawit iyong pangalan, na hindi naman gumawa ng maayos na imbestigasyon kung bakit iyon nangyari,” Robredo further said.

(It is also not fair to those whose names were involved when the investigation is not done properly.)

She urged authorities to handle similar cases with caution and ensure that proper protocols are followed.

“Paalala sa lahat na nagha-handle ng mga crime scenes, lahat na nagha-handle ng mga ganitong parang mysterious na mga deaths: iyong pagiging extra careful sa paghawak ng kaso, iyong pagsisiguro na iyong protocols nasusunod, pag-assess kung mayroon ba talagang protocols in place,” the Vice President said.

(I remind those who handle crime scenes, mysterious deaths, to be careful in handling cases and making sure that protocols are followed. Assess if protocols are really in place.)

The Philippine National Police earlier said the case of Dacera was considered “solved” after the police were able to identify the suspects for her death.

Three suspects were initially detained but were ordered released due to the absence of DNA analysis, toxicology report, and a histopath examination on Dacera’s body.

According to the police, there was foul play in Dacera’s death and filed a provisional charge of rape with homicide before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office against 11 individuals, including the 23-year-old flight attendant’s friends who were with her during the party.

Some of the suspects denied crime was committed against Dacera.

JE