PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Debold Sinas maintained on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, that flight attendant Christine Dacera was raped before she died despite an autopsy report showing that she had died of a ruptured aneurysm.
In a press conference Wednesday, Sinas said all elements of rape were present.
“When we have discussed this with the investigators and the other senior officers, I think there is really rape. Look, ‘yung babae may bruises siya may ganito, may confirmed lacerations, tapos may fluid sa private parts niya but I will leave this to the investigators what really happens,” Sinas said in a press conference in San Juan City.
An autopsy report allegedly conducted on Dacera’s remains traced her death to a ruptured aortic aneurysm. The report is being circulated on social media.
A medico-legal officer of the National Capital Region Police Office confirmed the autopsy report to SunStar, but declined to provide additional details.
Sinas also refused to discuss the matter further, saying investigation was ongoing and charges have already been filed in the court.
He said investigators were looking at several possible motives.
Meeting
Sinas held the press conference after meeting with Dacera’s mother, Sharon, and her relatives and friends in a restaurant in San Juan City.
“We discussed the progress of the case with the family kung anong nangyari kung anong kaso na finile namin. We also hear them out sa mga request nila sa mga gusto nilang iparating in order to progress the case,” said Sinas.
He earlier said they have arrested and charged three suspects. At least eight others will be charged over Dacera’s death, he added.
“Kasi accordingly we now have understand na baka ‘yung mga hinahanap namin madagdagan pa yun later based on CCTV cameras na na-recover doon sa hotel,” he said.
“Base sa CCTV footage, meron pang pumapasok within the last hour before the incident,” he added.
He appealed to the people implicated in the case to present themselves to the police.
He said they have already sent a subpoena to the concerned individuals and warned that they will be forced to cite them in contempt if they refuse to obey the summons.
“We come to realize na marami pala talagang involved. Medyo may kaya pa sa buhay so we have to pressure them to come out baka akala nila magbibiro kami,” said Sinas.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Vicente Danao Jr., said part of the investigation is to determine whether Dacera was under the influence of illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, Sharon Dacera said she was contented with the investigation being conducted by the police.
Ang gusto lang namin ay katotohanan and I really appreciate what our PNP is doing right now,” she said.
“I just seek justice for Christine...Soon, anak, what happens (sic) to you will be justified,” she added.
Denial
In a radio interview, Gregorio de Guzman, one of the 11 persons named by the police as suspects in the Dacera case denied the accusations against them.
He said no one could have committed such a crime against Dacera.
"Kasi lahat po sila mga bakla na nakikisali sa kaniya. For me po kasi, parang ang impression kasi niya mahilig siya makipag-hang out kagaya namin [LGBT]. Komportable po siya sa amin. Kasi the entire time po, komportableng-komportable siya sa isa't isa sa amin," he said.
De Guzman said they never left Dacera’s side after one of them discovered her body in the bathtub.
He said he even performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Dacera in an attempt to revive her, contradicting the police narrative that hotel staff found Dacera and performed CPR.
De Guzman said they willingly cooperated with the police.
De Guzman said he understands where the family, especially Sharon, is coming from.
De Guzman’s mother, singer Claire dela Fuente, condoled with Dacera’s family but appealed for a balanced investigation.
“Ang akin lang pakiusap sana ay igalang natin kung ano man po ang nakita na natin, nabasa na natin na katotohanan. ‘Wag naman po tayong mag dikdik ng tao,” she said.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the National Bureau of Investigation will assist the PNP in the conduct of investigation especially in determining the cause of Dacera’s death. (SunStar Philippines)