MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) said investigation on the controversial death of flight attendant Christine Angelica Dacera is not yet closed or dismissed.
DOJ Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said they just started gathering enough evidence to determine if there was rape prior to Dacera’s death, as being pushed by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Debold Sinas.
“We are not dismissing the case, just to be clear about it, we are just converting this into a regular preliminary investigation,” Malcontento said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source. “Nag-u-umpisa pa lang kami. We are just starting.”
Malcontento believes the rape with homicide complaints earlier lodged against the respondents who were with Dacera at a Makati hotel room on New Year’s Day are “premature.”
The PNP identified 11 suspects who celebrated with Dacera before she was found dead in a hotel. The suspects, who have self-identified as gay, said they had no reason to hurt her.
The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday ordered the release of three suspects, saying more evidence is needed to prove the rape-slay allegations.
The police have so far submitted their complaint on Dacera’s death certificate and medico-legal report. The prosecutor general added authorities are waiting for additional evidence, including possible toxicology and DNA results.
“If it is sufficient, we could have dismissed it outright or decided to file the case,” Malcontento said. “So insofar as our prosecutors are concerned, by way of procedures, it’s incomplete, premature.”
“We cannot file homicide, murder, rape, or rape with homicide with the existing evidence presented so far by the PNP and their witnesses,” he added. “But I can assure the Dacera family that the investigation will be swift and justice will be delivered.”
“In the same manner, the 11 respondents, we will afford them all their rights under the law, and we will give them all the chances for them to defend their rights and their stories on this matter,” he further said./PN
DOJ: Probe on Dacera case just starting
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) said investigation on the controversial death of flight attendant Christine Angelica Dacera is not yet closed or dismissed.
DOJ Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said they just started gathering enough evidence to determine if there was rape prior to Dacera’s death, as being pushed by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Debold Sinas.
“We are not dismissing the case, just to be clear about it, we are just converting this into a regular preliminary investigation,” Malcontento said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source. “Nag-u-umpisa pa lang kami. We are just starting.”
Malcontento believes the rape with homicide complaints earlier lodged against the respondents who were with Dacera at a Makati hotel room on New Year’s Day are “premature.”
The PNP identified 11 suspects who celebrated with Dacera before she was found dead in a hotel. The suspects, who have self-identified as gay, said they had no reason to hurt her.
The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday ordered the release of three suspects, saying more evidence is needed to prove the rape-slay allegations.
The police have so far submitted their complaint on Dacera’s death certificate and medico-legal report. The prosecutor general added authorities are waiting for additional evidence, including possible toxicology and DNA results.
“If it is sufficient, we could have dismissed it outright or decided to file the case,” Malcontento said. “So insofar as our prosecutors are concerned, by way of procedures, it’s incomplete, premature.”
“We cannot file homicide, murder, rape, or rape with homicide with the existing evidence presented so far by the PNP and their witnesses,” he added. “But I can assure the Dacera family that the investigation will be swift and justice will be delivered.”
“In the same manner, the 11 respondents, we will afford them all their rights under the law, and we will give them all the chances for them to defend their rights and their stories on this matter,” he further said./PN
