Sinas approves relief of Makati police chief, SPD medico-legal, 2 probers over Dacera case

Philippine National Police chief General Debold Sinas on Wednesday approved the recommendation to relieve the Makati Police chief, the Southern Police District medico-legal officer, and two investigators over lapses in the Christine Dacera case.

“Three things I have already discussed kay [National Capital Region Police Office acting director Police Brigadier General Vicente Danao Jr.] the following recommendations I have approved. First, of course, is to relieve the chief of police for command responsibility and he will be replaced later on the recommendation of the [regional director] of the NCRPO,” Sinas told reporters.

“Second, the relief and investigation of the two investigators na involved doon and the investigation determining kung mayroong lapses and negligence ‘yong medico-legal or SOCO team ng SPD,” he added.

Sinas said the four will be “momentarily relieved” from their posts while internal investigation is ongoing.

“However as the [Special Investigation Task Group)] and the RD of the NCRPO might need their services ay kasama pa po sila doon for the smooth transfer of documents, evidence and others,” he said.

Further, Sinas clarified that the relief is not immediate.

“It’s just a recommendation and I leave that to the RD NCRPO to implement the recommendation which I already approved. It’s up to the RD NCRPO to implement it,” he said.

Dacera, 23, was found unresponsive in the bathtub of a hotel room in Makati City on January 1. She had checked in with friends to celebrate the New Year.

TIMELINE: The Christine Dacera case

Her family believes she was drugged and sexually abused, but her friends, who are now accused of rape with homicide before the Makati prosecutor's office, said they did not harm her.

Police had detained three of Dacera’s companions but prosecutors ordered them released for further investigation.

Eleven men face a criminal complaint for rape with homicide that is being investigated by the Makati prosecutor's office. — BM, GMA News