NBI complaints over Christine Dacera’s death endorsed to Makati prosecutors

Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento on Thursday endorsed to the Makati Prosecutor’s Office the complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera.

Malcontento’s action came days after Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra raised the possibility that the complaints would be transferred from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to the local prosecutors for resolution.

The NBI earlier filed charges against 11 people, including Dacera’s companions at a Makati hotel where she was found unresponsive on January 1, ranging from violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, perjury to reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Guevarra said the Makati prosecutors may choose to resolve the rape with homicide charges filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) along with the new complaints.

However, Malcontento said the complaints filed by the PNP and NBI will be treated separately.

Dacera, 23, died on January 1 after a New Year's Eve celebration with her friends. Her family believes she was drugged and sexually abused.

Dacera's friends, however, insisted they did not harm her, instead claiming that they took care of her when she was heavily drunk and until her final moments.

They recently vowed to file counter charges against Dacera’s family and other individuals.—AOL, GMA News