Makabayan Bloc seeks House probe of how PNP handled Christine Dacera case

The House Makabayan Bloc on Thursday filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the alleged mishandling of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the case of Christine Dacera, who was found dead in the bathtub of a Makati hotel room on January 1.

In House Resolution 1458, the six-member bloc also urged the House Committee on Public Order and Safety to recommend measures for concerned agencies in the conduct of a thorough investigation "to ensure a fair and competent resolution of the case."

In calling for the probe, the Makabayan Bloc cited the PNP's "premature" declaration that Dacera's case was one of "rape-slay" as she allegedly had lacerations and sperm in her genitalia, as well as bruises ans scratches on her arms and legs.

The result of the autopsy on Dacera's body, however, showed that she died of ruptured aortic aneurysm, contrary to what the PNP claimed to be "rape-slay" case, they added.

The PNP likewise declared the case solved even though only three of the 11 suspects had been arrested, the lawmakers pointed out.

"The unverified and inaccurate information and the premature conclusions of the PNP over Dacera's death do not help in resolving the case. Rather, it resulted in trial by publicity, confusion among Dacera's family and friends, and undue stress and anxiety to various parties dragged into the case," they said.

The Makabayan lawmakers surmised that the PNP may have been in a rush to close the case and trumpet it as a New Year accomplishment in order to "save the institution's tarnished and decaying image amid a series of police brutality cases."

"The PNP's mishandling of Dacera's case poses the biggest stumbling block to the quest for truth and justice over Dacera's death," they said.

"It should stop using the case to rehabilitate its image if justice must be really served," they added.

The Makati City Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday ordered the release for further investigation of the three suspects who have been detained in connection with Dacera's death.

Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said the local prosecutor's office said the case was referred for a preliminary investigation to determine whether Dacera was raped and/or killed and, if so, whether the identified suspects were responsible.

Meanwhile, Dacera's family has sought another autopsy from an independent medico-legal officer, suspecting that she was drugged and sexually abused and did not die solely of natural causes. -NB, GMA News