Suspects in Christine Dacera case released, lament her death

The three men who were detained in connection to the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera were emotional after their release on Wednesday night.

According to a “24 Oras” report, John Pascual Dela Serna III, Rommel Galido, and John Paul Halili were all hoping that justice would be served in the case.

“Sana po igalang na lang natin ‘yung lumabas na resulta, kasi lahat naman tayo ang aim dito...” Halili said before trailing off.

”Hirap na hirap na kasi ‘yung pamilya ko,” he added, sobbing. “Buong pamilya ko.”

Halili said he only went to the Makati Police Station to give a statement and to cooperate in the investigation. He said he was suddenly arrested.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “State of the Nation,” Dela Serna and Galido said the death of their friend Dacera was painful.

“Si Christine po naging parang kapatid ko na rin po siya. Sobrang mahal na mahal ko po si Christine. Para sa’kin, sobrang sakit din po mawala si Christine. Pero sana po malinawan ang pamilya ni Christine,” Galido said.

“Christine, kung nasaan ka man ngayon, sana i-clear mo ‘yung mind saka heart ng mom mo na wala kaming kasalanan dito. Alam mo kung gaano ka namin ka-mahal,” Dela Serna added.

Dela Serna and Galido, meanwhile, said the death of their friend Dacera was painful.

Earlier in the day, the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office ordered the release of the three individuals since many aspects of the case remained hazy.

"At this point, the pieces of evidence so far submitted are insufficient to establish that she was sexually assaulted or raped. And, if sexual assault/rape was committed, who is/are the person/s responsible?" it said.

Dacera was found dead in the bathtub of a Makati hotel on New Year’s Day.

She checked into the hotel with friends to ring in 2021. -Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News