Even Malacañang not buying Christine Dacera case is closed

MANILA, Philippines — The Christine Dacera case is not yet closed as the investigation into the New Year’s Day tragedy is still ongoing, Malacañang pointed out Thursday.

“As of now it’s a continuing investigation. The NBI has gotten involved in it so hintayin po natin na ma-conclude iyong ating imbestigasyon (Let’s wait for the investigation’s conclusion). Obviously, dahil meron pang hininging ebidensya ang piskal (the prosecutor is asking for pieces of evidence), the case is not yet closed,”  presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, a lawyer, said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP)earlier declared the case “solved” after the arrest of just three of 11 suspects for the death of the 23-year-old flight attendant.

However, the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office ordered the release of the three men to start a regular preliminary investigation after it ruled that the evidence presented by police investigators was insufficient to show that Dacera was raped and killed.

More evidence

Roque, said the state prosecutors’ decision to toss back the case should allow the prosecution to gather more evidence to strengthen its case.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque/ Screenshot from PCOO Facebook video

“The fiscal asked for additional evidence, in fact, iyong mga ebidensyang hiningi ng piskal ay iyong mga tinatawag natin physical evidence relating to DNA at iba pang physical evidence,” Roque said in his regular Palace press briefing.

Dacera was declared dead on arrival at a hospital after a New Year’s Eve party in a Makati City hotel where around 10 individuals joined her.

Her shocking death sparked calls for justice and speculations all over social media.

Roque said President Duterte is assuring the Dacera family of justice.

Justice will prevail, Duterte vows

“Ang pangako naman po ng Presidente ay makakamit po ang katarungan (para) sa pamilyang Dacera. Malalaman po natin ang katotohanan,” the Palace official said.

(President Duterte assured that justice would prevail. We will know the truth.)

President Duterte —MALACAÑANG PHOTO

READ: New Year’s Day tragedy:What really happened to Christine Dacera?

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