No rules broken by reservists’ presence at Dacera’s burial – Marine Corps chief

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Marine Corps assured Sunday that no military regulation or policy was violated by the presence of its reservists at the funeral rites of Christine Angelica Dacera — the flight attendant who died after a New Year’s Eve party in a Makati hotel.

In a statement, Maj. Gen. Ariel Caculitan, the Marine Corps commandant, said the uniformed personnel present at the funeral rites in General Santos City were reservists requested by Christine’s mother Sharon to help provide security, including crowd control, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Caculitan said the request was granted by the commander of the 12th Regional Community Defense Group.

“No military honors were rendered during the burial of Ms. Christine Dacera — no ceremonies, no flag-draped casket, no volleys of fire that constitute interment honors,” Caculitan added.

Dacera was laid to rest on Sunday more than a week after her controversial death on New Year’s Day. Her casket was carried by uniformed personnel.

“It’s not forbidden to assisting in carrying the casket if it would help,” Caculitan said in Filipino.

“There was no military regulation or policy violated. This does not in any way demean anybody, and I assure you that we are one with our investigating agencies in finding out the real truth behind her death,” he added.

Three individuals who were with Dacera during the New Year’s Eve party were earlier detained, but they were ordered released by the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office due to lack of evidence for the rape and homicide complaints. The respondents have denied the allegations against them.

The National Bureau of Investigation has started its investigation of the case.

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