Guevarra hopes 2nd autopsy pinpoints cause of Dacera's death
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra expressed hope Sunday that the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) second autopsy on the remains of Christine Angelica Dacera and the examinations on the recovered tissues from her embalmed body would yield results that may pinpoint the actual cause or causes of her death last January 1.
(TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Guevarra said admitted that the conduct of second autopsy was a tough job for NBI investigators, but he hoped that they can still find something that would indicate her death.
“That is still a possibility although it is more difficult now because it has been embalmed, but I think they have the technology to see if there is any illegal substance or excess alcohol in Christine's body at the time she dies,” he stressed in a television interview.
He said that NBI personnel have gone to General Santos City to extract tissue samples from Dacera's body.
"It's true that it's a bit difficult, but ... it's still possible. That's why they went there. Because if they think there is no hope of getting something else because it has been embalmed, they will not persevere to go there anymore,” he said.
"The mere fact that they went there is an indication that, and they have informed me, that there is still a chance that they can peek something at those organs, tissues that they will take," he added.
Dacera, 23, a flight attendant employed with the Philippine Airlines, was found dead in a hotel room in Makati City on Jan. 1 following a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Her family claimed she was drugged and sexually abused.
But Dacera’s friends, who were in the party, denied they raped and killed her. They had earlier said they had cared for her until her death.
Last Jan. 7, Guevarra directed the NBI to conduct a separate probe on Dacera’s death and to file charges against those found liable.
NBI Officer-in Charge Eric Distor has been directed to submit a report within 10 days and periodic reports thereafter.
The NBI has summoned the guests in the room next to the room occupied by Dacera and her friends.
“They (Dacera’s friends and guests in the other room) will be investigated by the NBI. They (NBI) will pursue whatever their findings will be in the preliminary investigation to be conducted by the Department of Justice starting Jan. 13,” Guevarra said.