MANILA, Philippines — The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office will soon issue its resolution to the Makati City police’s rape with homicide complaint against 11 individuals that law enforcers believe were responsible for the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera.
“Yes. Submitted for resolution na ang case. (The case is submitted for resolution),” said Dacera family counsel, Atty. Jose Ledda III, in a text message to INQUIRER.net, when asked for updates regarding the complaint.
Ledda added the Dacera family is “praying that the resolution will be in their favor.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the preliminary investigation ended as respondents – who were Dacera’s friends and acquaintances – submitted their rejoinder in the reply-affidavit that the Dacera family filed on February 11, 2021.
The Dacera family continued to contest medical documents showing that the 23-year-old flight attendant died of natural causes.
READ: Dacera camp to pursue other ‘legal remedies’ if prosecutor junks complaints
According to Atty. Mike Santiago, a counsel of those accused, the rejoinder submitted by respondents reiterated the medical findings that Dacera died of natural causes, and not rape and homicide.
Santiago also said they will “set the record straight on what really transpired” to Dacera as they all spent the New Year’s Eve partying in a Makati City hotel. Dacera was found unconscious in the dry bathtub of their hotel room on New Year’s Day.
READ: Respondents in Dacera’s death hoping for early resolution of case
Three days after Dacera died, the city police filed a “provisional” rape and homicide complaint against the 11 men. Subsequently, the Philippine National Police said the Dacera case was closed because arrests of purported suspects were already made.
However, the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office found the police’s complaint lacking in evidence and subjected it to further investigation. It also ordered the release of arrested respondents from police detention.
Police also previously submitted its medicolegal report, indicating that Dacera died of an aneurysm caused by increased blood pressure.