NCRPO chief to Christine Dacera's friends: Submit sworn statements

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) acting director Police Brigadier General Vicente Danao on Friday urged those being linked to Christine Dacera's death to give their formal statements to help in the investigation.

In a television interview, Danao said these persons, who were with Dacera during a New Year's Eve celebration in a Makati City hotel, could be charged with obstruction of justice if they would withhold information about her death.

"If they will be withholding statements na alam po namin na dapat mas makakatulong 'yun, depende po 'yun sa kalalabasan, puwede po silang file-an pa rin ng kaso, if ever, for obstruction of justice, especially kung alam naman sana nila 'yung nangyari sa loob," Danao told CNN Philippines.

"Mas maganda maglabas ng black and white sworn statement para makatulong sa kaso. They are not yet off the hook," Danao added.

A special investigation task group was already looking into the case, according to Danao.

Three respondents who were earlier arrested were ordered released after the Makati City's Prosecutor Office directed further investigation on the incident.

It said the initial pieces of evidence the police had submitted were insufficient to prove that Dacera was raped by her companions.

Dacera was found lifeless in the bathtub of a hotel room in Makati City on January 1 after a night of partying. Her remains were brought to her hometown in General Santos City on Thursday. [See: Timeline] —KBK, GMA News