No rape in Dacera case, says source

The Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory did not find any evidence of rape in the case of Christine Dacera, the flight attendant who was found unconscious inside a hotel room on New Year’s Day.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, although it was not included in the medico legal report, a source told GMA News that the PNP crime lab also did not find any DNA of a man from the swab samples taken from Dacera.

A medico legal report from the PNP crime lab dated January 11 but submitted to a Makati prosecutor on Wednesday revealed that Dacera died of natural causes.

The report said Dacera died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm that was triggered by an increase in blood pressure.

"Manner of death as homicide is ruled out in Dacera's case because the aortic aneurysm is considered a medical condition. Rape and/or drug overdose will not result to the development of aneurysms," it said.

"Even overdose and ruptured aneurysm are two different conditions and cannot be both included as cause of death of patient," it added.

The report also stated that the “dilatation or aneurysm” in Dacera’s aorta was a “chronic condition” that “started long time ago or maybe years prior to her death.”

"No alcohol or recreational drugs taken the night prior to her death will cause that kind of dilatation or defect on her aorta," the report said.

"If she did not die that fateful night, she will still die in any scenario that presents an activity that will increase her blood pressure strong enough to tear that aneurysm."

Earlier, the PNP insisted that Dacera was raped prior to her death. There was also the speculation that she was drugged.

Meanwhile, Mike Santiago, lawyer for some of Dacera’s friends accused of rape with homicide, said the document “speaks for itself.”

Moreover, the Dacera family insisted that a crime was still committed.

“We always base our moves and actions sa documents na hawak namin, but it doesn’t mean that the family counsel will not exhaust possible remedies para ma-seek ‘yong justice na hinahanap ng pamilya,” Jose Ledda III, lawyer of the Dacera family, said.

“Ang accusation ng family is that there is a crime,” Ledda added.

Dacera, 23, was found unconscious in the bathtub of a hotel room in Makati City on January 1. She had checked in with friends to celebrate the New Year.

Her family believes she was drugged and sexually abused, but her friends claim they did not harm her.

The Makati prosecutor’s preliminary investigation, which will determine whether the case will be brought to court, will resume on February 3.—Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News