Bruises on Dacera’s body likely caused by wheelchair, respondent says

The bruises on the body of Christine Dacera, the flight attendant who was found dead on New Year’s Day, were likely caused by the wheelchair that was used by medics who responded to the incident, a respondent to the case said Thursday.

In an interview with reporters, Valentine Rosales recalled that Gregorio De Guzman, a friend of his and Dacera’s, called for a medic when they found her lifeless body in the bathtub of their hotel room in Makati.

“No’ng dumating ‘yung medic, kumuha sila ng wheelchair. ‘Yung wheelchair na kinuha nila, walang leg assist,” he said.

Rosales said he then carried Dacera and placed her on the wheelchair.

“E wala ngang leg assist… Nakikita ko kasi naiipit ‘yung legs niya sa may sidebars ng wheelchair. Tapos si Clark [Rapina], being a nurse, pumunta do’n tinaas niya ‘yung paa habang ‘yung medic tinutulak si Tin papunta sa doon sa back elevator nila.”

Rosales and several other respondents in the case firmly denied any foul play in the death of Dacera, contrary to the belief of her family that she was raped and killed. 

The flight attendant, 23, was found dead a day after she checked into a hotel with friends to ring in the new year.

John Dela Serna, Rommel Galido, and John Paul Halili were released from detainment on Wednesday after the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office said “the pieces of evidence so far submitted are insufficient to establish that she was sexually assaulted or raped.” 

A preliminary investigation has been set for January 13.—Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News