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CHR: Christine Dacera's death can't be declared solved without justice


The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday joined the call for justice over the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera who was found lifeless in a Makati hotel last January 1, saying that the case cannot be declared solved without justice.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia was responding to the preliminary police report on Dacera which said she died due to ruptured aortic aneurysm even if visible lacerations found on the victim and other evidence based on the medico-legal report point to factors of abuse, including forcible sexual misconduct. 

“The CHR is deeply concerned and condemns the incident surrounding the death of Christine Angelica Dacera. As one of the sectors who most experience abuse, the government must ensure that greater protection be accorded to women. In this regard, CHR stands for the protection of women in all fronts of life and echoes the call for justice for her,” de Guia said in a statement

“This case cannot be regarded as solved until justice has already taken its due course and that the perpetrators are held to account,” de Guia added. 

Pending the release of toxicology reports, the CHR assured the public that it will also conduct its own investigation in coordination with local authorities to inquire about the nature of death and ensure justice for the victim.

“We send our sincere condolences to the bereaved loved ones and family members of the deceased,” de Guia said. 

Philippine National Police Chief Debold Sinas earlier said Dacera’s case is already solved even though only three out of the 11 suspects are under police custody so far. 

In the information it released on Monday night, the PNP branded the case as already solved. PNP spokesman Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana explained that from the perspective of the police, they consider a certain case as solved after identifying the alleged perpetrators of the crime.

"Identified na po ang suspects, although mayroon pa rin pong iba na maituturing na suspects, hindi lang din po sila nahuhuli pa. Pero in so far as those behind, implied naman po 'yun na kung sino 'yung mga nakasama ng biktima sa room kung saan pinagdausan 'yung party at the same time nangyari na rin po 'yung kamatayan ng bata, eh 'yun pong mga na-identify mismo na mga kasamahan niya po, sila po 'yung primary suspects po," he said.

"'Yung usapin po ng solusyon ng case is dependent on identifying the persons na probably responsible po doon sa pangyayaring po 'yun," Usana added.

The Department of Tourism, for its part, issued a show cause order to the hotel where Dacera’s body was found because of violation of COVID-19 quarantine protocols. 

The Tourism department said City Garden Grand Hotel where Dacera's body was found is currently accredited as a quarantine facility. As such, the hotel may not provide accommodation for  leisure purposes.

GMA News Online has reached out to City Garden Grand Hotel through the contact details posted on its website for comment, but no response has been received as of this posting. —Llanesca T. Panti/KG, GMA News

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