The Philippine National Police (PNP) declared that it has solved the mystery behind the death of a flight attendant who was found dead in an empty bathtub of a Makati City hotel on New Year’s Day with the identification of 12 people tagged as involved in what was described as a possible case of rape-slay.
PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas said three of the suspects were already arrested and eventually charged with a case of rape with homicide, a non-bailable criminal offense with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
They were identified as John Pascual dela Serna III, 27; Rommel Daluro Galido, 29; and John Paul Reyes Halili, 25. The case was filed on Monday before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office.
“I have already ordered a follow-up operation against the nine other people who were with the victim before she was found dead,” said Sinas.
They were Gregorio Angelo de Guzman, Louie de Lima, Clark Jezreel Rapinan, Rey Englis, Mark Anthony Rosales, Jammyr Cunanan, Valentine Rosales, a certain Ed Madrid; and a certain Paul.
Quoting initial investigation of the police, victim Christine Angelica Dacera, a 23-year old flight attendant from General Santos City, told her family and friends that she would attend a New Year celebration with friends in Makati City.
The party was held at the City Garden Hotel located at the corner of Makati and Kalayaan Avenues in Barangay Poblacion, Makati City.
But at noontime on January 1, the body of Dacera was found in the empty bathtub of one of the rooms of the hotel. Hotel staff performed CPR on the victim to revive her but failed, and later rushed her to the hospital where she was pronounced dead by doctors.
While initial report disclosed that Dacera suffered from aneurysm, police investigators also found bruises and other markings indicating that rape may have been committed. The final autopsy report is expected to be submitted by the police to the Makati City Prosecutors Office anytime this week.
Sinas said, the District Director of Southern Police District, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta, has communicated with the mother of the victim in General Santos City and assured the family of prompt and thorough investigation. (Aaron Recuenco)
