NBI ordered to investigate Christine Dacera’s death

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera as he found the initial police investigation "not thorough enough."

In a department order dated January 7, Guevarra told the NBI to file charges against all persons who will be found to have been responsible for any illegal act in connection with Dacera's death, if the evidence warrants.

He directed NBI OIC Director Eric Distor to report to him the progress of the investigation within 10 days and periodically after.

Dacera, 23, died on January 1 following a New Year's Eve celebration at a Makati hotel.

Her family believes she was drugged and sexually abused. Her friends, who were with her at the party, denied they raped and killed her, instead claiming that they cared for her until her final moments.

Guevarra earlier told the NBI to assist the police in its investigation, and the new directive comes days ahead of a separate investigation to be conducted by prosecutors in Makati.

"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," the secretary told reporters.

"From the DOJ's viewpoint, the case build-up will be faster if the NBI acts independently," he said while emphasizing that "time is of the essence."

"The longer it takes to examine the remains of the deceased and gather pieces of other evidence, the more difficult it becomes to establish the true cause of her death and identify any person liable therefor if a crime was indeed committed," he said.

He also said the NBI would like to get hold of the complete forensic test results before it makes public its autopsy findings.

The Makati prosecutor's office will start a preliminary investigation on January 13. At the end of this process, prosecutors will decide whether to file charges against the respondents in court.

Meanwhile, Guevarra said prosecutors will not yet seek a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO), which will bar the respondents from leaving the country.

"PHDO in the Dacera case? Not at this time," he said, explaining that prosecutors only apply for a PHDO when they see probable cause that a crime was committed, and if it is likely that the respondents will escape before charges are filed in court.

Formal statements

Also on Friday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) acting director Police Brigadier General Vicente Danao urged those being linked to Dacera's death to give their formal statements to help in the investigation.

In a television interview, Danao said these persons, who were with Dacera during a New Year's Eve celebration in a Makati City hotel, could be charged with obstruction of justice if they would withhold information about her death.

"If they will be withholding statements na alam po namin na dapat mas makakatulong 'yun, depende po 'yun sa kalalabasan, puwede po silang file-an pa rin ng kaso, if ever, for obstruction of justice, especially kung alam naman sana nila 'yung nangyari sa loob," Danao told CNN-Philippines.

"Mas maganda maglabas ng black and white sworn statement para makatulong sa kaso. They are not yet off the hook," Danao added. 

Dacera's remains were brought to her hometown in General Santos City on Thursday. [See: Timeline of Christine Dacera New Year's Day death]

— Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/RSJ, GMA News