NBI to release this week result of forensic exam on Dacera
By Jun Ramirez
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will release within the week the results of the forensic examination conducted on the remains of flight attendant Christine Dacera, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Monday.
“The NBI will come out with the forensic results in less than a week,” the secretary said.
Last Friday, Jan. 8, Guevarra released Department Order No. 006 that directed 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.”
Decara was found dead in the bath tub of unit 2209 at the City Garden Grand Hotel in Makati City that she and her friends rented to celebrate the new year.
It was also learned that her group was also partying with a group of men in Room No. 2207 of the same hotel.
“The NBI knows the name of the person who registered at the reception and the faces/names of the other persons in room 2207,” said Guevarra.
“I think they have been invited to appear today at the NBI to provide any relevant information,” he added.
The secretary gave the order for the NBI to conduct an investigation amid criticisms that the Philippine National Police (PNP) bungled its investigation into the death of Dacera.
“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,” Guevarra had earlier stated.
“From the DOJ’s viewpoint, the case build-up will be faster if the NBI acts independently,” Guevarra said.
The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office has 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.
Because of this, the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office has decided to conduct a preliminary investigation of the complaint which will start Jan. 13 and ordered the PNP to release the arrested suspects.
During the preliminary investigation, the PNP will be given the opportunity to submit additional evidence while the suspects will get the chance to defend themselves.