Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10) — Vice President Leni Robredo slammed on Sunday what she called the “irresponsible” handling of the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera, who died after a New Year’s Eve party with friends in a Makati City hotel.
“Para sa akin, napaka-irresponsible na sabihing case closed, napaka-irresponsible na sabihin na ito iyong dahilan nang wala ka pang basehan. Para sa akin, unang una ang laking kasalanan noon sa pamilya ng namatay, lalo na hindi klaro kung paano namatay ang anak,” Robredo said.
“Hindi makatarungan iyon sa mga nadawit ang pangalan nang hindi gumawa ng maayos na imbestigasyon kung paano iyon nangyari,” she said.
[Translation: For me, it is really irresponsible to claim that the case was closed, it is really irresponsible that that was the reason even without full evidence. For me, that’s a big offense against the family of the one who died, especially since it’s not clear as to what caused it. It’s not justifiable that some names were involved even as an investigation was not fully done on what truly transpired.]
Robredo shared how she, as a mother, understands the situation of Sharon Dacera, who is still seeking justice and the truth surrounding the incidents that led to her daughter’s death.
“Kung ako ang nanay, syempre ang gusto kong mangyari, para malaman ang katotohanan. Masakit na namatayan, kung hindi mo pa alam ang nangyari, mas dodoble ang sakit,” Robredo noted.
[Translation: If I were the mother, of course I would seek the truth. It’s hard enough to lose someone. If you don’t know what led to the death, it would be twice the pain.]
READ: Christine Dacera’s last hours, according to her friends now respondents in case
Last Monday, the Philippine National Police initially declared that they have already “solved” Dacera’s case, despite some missing details and conflicting reports on the matter.
Three suspects in what was initially called a “rape-slay” case, were earlier detained but were eventually released due to the absence of the DNA analysis, toxicology report, and a histopath examination on Dacera’s body, and a preliminary investigation on the other suspects.
READ: TIMELINE: The Christine Dacera case
Dacera, a 23-year-old Philippine Airlines flight attendant, was last seen on December 31 partying with at least 12 men at the City Garden Hotel in Poblacion, Makati City to welcome the New Year. The next day, she was found lifeless on the bathroom floor of her hotel room, with some of her friends tagged as suspects.
Dacera was laid to rest on Sunday in her hometown in General Santos City. Authorities have formed a special investigation task group to continue looking into her case.
Robredo said in her weekly radio show Biserbisyong Leni that it was “irresponsible” for authorities to prematurely declare amid ongoing investigation that the case was already closed, without fully referring to evidences that would support their claim.
She also recommended authorities to handle similar cases with extra caution and ensure that proper protocols are followed.
“Paalala sa naghahandle ng crime scenes, lahat ng naghahandle ng mysterious deaths, iyong pagiging extra careful sa paghawak ng kaso, pagsiguro na iyong protocols nasusunod. [Mag-assess] kung may protocols ba talaga in place.”
[Translation: To those who handle crime scenes, mysterious deaths, please be extra careful in handling cases and ensuring that protocols are followed. Assess if protocols are really in place.]
Vice President Leni Robredo slams what she described as the "irresponsible" handling of the death of flight attendant…
Posted by CNN Philippines on Saturday, January 9, 2021
