Police checking if illegal drugs were used in party where Christine Dacera died

Investigators will check if there were illegal drugs used in the New Year celebration that Christine Dacera and her friends held in a hotel in Makati City, police said Thursday.

The celebration ended tragically when Dacera was found lifeless afterward, with police and her family believing she was raped, though the three arrested suspects were ordered released by a prosecutor for lack of evidence.

Speaking to reporters, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) acting director Police Brigadier General Vicente Danao said a toxicology report will be very relevant in shedding light to the circumstances that led to Dacera's death.

"Isa 'yan sa tinitingnan natin. That's why we have to get the results of the toxicology. Ano ba ang naging resulta nito kung mayroon man? We have to get kung ano 'yung findings diyan," Danao said.

Danao said if illegal drugs indeed contributed to the death of Dacera, a 23-year-old flight attendant, it must be determined if she took it voluntarily or someone put it in her drinks.

"[If drugs were used] there are two factors to consider here. One, did she take it voluntarily? Alam niyang droga 'yun pero tinake niya, so who is to be blame there? Wala 'di ba, kasi ikaw mismo ang uminom," Danao said.

"Second factor is kung 'yun ang dahilan, dahil sa droga and somebody induced it to her, ibig sabihin, nilagay mo somewhere, sa inumin niya unknowingly sa kanya, 'yun, doon tayo dapat tumutok," he added.

Danao said police are checking if other individuals were also involved in the incident aside from the earlier identified persons who were implicated on Dacera's death.

"'Yun po ang isang tinitingnan natin kasi nadinig ko rin po, aside from the 10 na nandoon ay mayroon pang iba, pero as far as wala naman silang case sa ngayon, they remain to be innocent," Danao said.

Dacera was found lifeless in the bathtub of a room in City Garden Grand Hotel on January 1.  Her remains were brought to her hometown in General Santos City on Thursday morning. —KBK, GMA News