The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will do a faster case build-up than the Philippine National Police (PNP) if it investigates the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera independently, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Friday.
Guevarra pointed this out in the wake of criticisms that the PNP bungled its investigation of the alleged rape-slay case.
“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,” the DOJ secretary said.
“From the DOJ’s viewpoint, the case build-up will be faster if the NBI acts independently,” Guevarra stressed.
The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office issued last Jan. 6, a resolution which determined that the PNP submitted insufficient evidence in filing the complaint against 11 men who were accused of rape with homicide over the death of Dacera.
With insufficient evidence, the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office decided to conduct a preliminary investigation on the complaint which will start on Jan. 13 and ordered the PNP to release arrested suspects.
During the preliminary investigation, all parties will be given opportunities to present evidence on the case.
Last Friday, released Department Order No. 006 which ordered the NBI “to conduct an investigation on the death of Christine F. Dacera, who died on 01 January 2021 in Makati City and, if evidence warrants, to file the appropriate charges against all persons involved and found responsible for any unlawful act in connection therewith.”
Guevarra said “time is of the essence” in having the NBI conduct its own investigation.
“The longer it takes to examine the remains of the deceased and gather pieces of other evidence, the more difficult it becomes to establish the true cause of her death and identify any person liable therefor, if a crime was indeed committed,” he said.
In conducting the probe, Guevarra said “the NBI would like to have in its possession the complete forensic test results before it makes known its autopsy findings.”
Meanwhile, Guevarra said the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office will not yet seek a precautionary hold-departure order (PHDO) before the courts to prevent the suspects from leaving the country.
“Prosecutors apply for PHDO when, based on the evidence presented during the preliminary investigation, probable cause that a crime has been committed is more or less established, and it is likely that the respondent(s) will flee from the country before the criminal information is filed in court,” he explained.
Named respondents in the complaint earlier filed by the PNP are John Pascual dela Serna III, Rommel Galido, John Paul Halili, Gregorio Angelo Rafael de Guzman, Clark Rapinan, Valentine Rosales, Mark Anthony Rosales, Rey Ingles y Mabini, Louie de Lima, Jammyr Cunanan, and a certain Ed Madrid.