The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has interviewed 12 men concerning the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera.
NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said in a text message on Thursday that those who have already appeared before NBI investigators were “12 from Room 2207.”
It has been learned that Dacera rented with her friends Room 2209 of the City Garden Grand Hotel to celebrate the new year and that they mingled also with occupants of Room 2207.
Dacera was found unconscious last Jan. 1 in the bathtub of Room 2209 of the hotel that she rented with her friends to celebrate the new year.
She was rushed to the Makati Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival.
Lavin said investigators have also invited the men who stayed with Dacera at Room 2209.
“They have been subpoenaed,” the NBI official said.
Last Friday, Guevarra ordered the NBI “to conduct an investigation on the death of Christine F. Dacera, who died on 01 January 2021 in Makati City and, if evidence warrants, to file the appropriate charges against all persons involved and found responsible for any unlawful act in connection therewith.”
The secretary gave the order amid criticisms that the Philippine National Police (PNP) bungled its investigation over the death of Dacera.
“With all due respect, the initial investigation by the Makati Police was not thorough enough, prompting the inquest prosecutors to refer the case for further investigation and release the respondents in the meantime,” Guevarra earlier stated.
“From the DoJ’s viewpoint, the case build-up will be faster if the NBI acts independently,” Guevarra stressed.
Meanwhile, the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office began last Wednesday its preliminary investigation on the rape with homicide complaint filed by the PNP against 11 men.
The 11 respondents are John Pascual dela Serna III, Rommel Galidoo, John Paul Halili, Gregorio Angelo Rafael de Guzman, Clark Rapinan, Valentine Rosales, Mark Anthony Rosales, Rey Ingles y Mabini, Louie de Lima, Jammyr Cunanan, and a certain Ed Madrid.