CDI 2
SPECIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION
CASE STUDY
SUBMITTED BY:
MA. ANGEL F. LEGASPI – 2nd Year DELTA
SUBMITTED TO:
MA’AM GINAVIC S. IGMA
CDI 2
SPECIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION
CASE STUDY
SUBMITTED BY:
JASMINE S. BONBON – 2nd Year DELTA
SUBMITTED TO:
MA’AM GINAVIC S. IGMA
Makati prosecutors dismiss rape- homicide charges vs. ‘Dacera 11’
I. INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
Flight Attendant Christine Dacera was born on April 13, 1997, a 23 years old Flight
Attendant for Philippine Airlines. Born in General Santos, Philippines, Christine
graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts from the University of
the Philippines Mindanao in Davao City. Christine also worked as a model, endorser,
and also active on her social media before, with thousands of followers.Last 2020,
while many were welcoming 2021 and bidding farewell to the dreaded 2020, a
tragedy occurred in a grand hotel in Makati City in the Philippines. Christine Angelica
Dacera checked in at the City Garden, a four-star hotel to celebrate New Year’s Eve
with her friends. However, on 1 January, 2021, the 23-year-old flight attendant at
Philippines Airlines was found unconscious in the bathtub of a hotel room.
According to media reports, one of her friends, Rommel Galido woke up around
10:00 am to find Dacera asleep in the bath. He said that he then put a blanket over
her and went back to sleep. Galido then woke up around noon and noticed that
Dacera was still unconscious and even turning blue. Her friends and hotel staffers
performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before rushing her to the Makati
Medical Clinic where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival. The facts and reports
following her death have been “hazy” and “confusing” as stated by local Filipino
media. The case of Christine Dacera, found dead in a hotel room after a New Year's
Eve party, made headlines for weeks. Police quickly said she had been raped and
murdered, arresting three men. But the men have now been released while
questions have been raised over officers' initial conclusions. On 4 January, police
issued a statement that they had "solved" the death of the 23-year-old flight
attendant, adding that she had been raped and murdered.
The statement added that police had arrested three suspects while nine others were
"still at large". All 12 men had been with her that night. Despite a pending legal
medical review of the death, Colonel Depositar confirmed they had "already filed a
rape with homicide" case. Initially, outrage. The story exploded on social media and
was trending for days. The hashtag #JusticeForChristineDacera went viral following
the police statement, although there were those who blamed her for partying with so
many men. Then, the Makati City Prosecutor's Office said "the pieces of evidence so
far submitted are insufficient to establish that Dacera was sexually assaulted or
raped". The three accused were released pending further investigations. The case
has been further complicated after two of the initial suspects claimed they had been
forced to make false statements about drug use at the party because police
subjected them "to mental torture".
But her mother, Sharon, insists there was foul play. "For me, my daughter was
raped,"
Mrs Dacera said in an interview with the news program Head start. "If you see the
body of Christine, if you are the mother you will surely feel the pain suffered by
Christine."
II. BODY
On 4 January 2021, police issued a statement that they had "solved" the death of the
23year-old flight attendant, adding that she had been raped and murdered.
The statement added that police had arrested three suspects while nine others were
"still at large". All 12 men had been with her that night. Despite a pending legal
medical review of the death, Colonel Depositar confirmed they had "already filed a
rape with homicide" case. Initially, outrage. The story exploded on social media and
was trending for days. The hashtag #JusticeForChristineDacera went viral following
the police statement, although there were those who blamed her for partying with so
many men. On January 6, 2021, Makati City Prosecutors’ Office resolves to refer the
case of Christine Dacera for further investigation and to release three suspects in
detention pending conduct of preliminary investigation, namely John Pascual Dela
Serna III, Rommel Galido and John Paul Halili. January 8, 2021, Justice Secretary
Menardo Guevarra says the National Bureau of Investigation wants the complete
forensic test results before it makes known its autopsy findings. "I have directed the
NBI to conduct its own investigation of the Dacera case, as time is of the essence,"
Guevarra says. "The longer it takes to examine the remains of the deceased and
gather pieces of other evidence, the more difficult it becomes to establish the true
cause of her death and identify any person liable therefore, if a crime was indeed
committed," he adds. January 12, 2021, The National Bureau of Investigation has
extracted 100 ml of urine from the remains of flight attendant Christine Dacera,
according to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. Guevarra says this could provide
a lot of information to the bureau's forensic team. January 20, 2021, PNP chief Gen.
Debold Sinas orders the relief of the Makati police chief in relation to the case of
flight attendant Christine Dacera. According to a report from radio, the police chief
also orders the dismissal of the medico legal of the Southern Police District, as well
as two Makati police investigators. Police rules out homicide as the cause of death of
23-year-old flight attendant Christine Dacera. PNP medico-legal report found that
Dacera died of aortic aneurysm, which is considered a medical condition. "Rape
and/or drug overdose will not result to the development of aneurysms," the report
read.
February 7, 2022, Makati prosecutors junk the complaints against the companions of
flight attendant Christine Dacera. These include complaints of drug violations,
obstruction of justice, perjury and reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. The
prosecutors also dismiss complaints by Dacera's companions against her mother,
including illegal detention, arbitrary detention, unlawful arrest, unjust vexation,
perjury, slander, libel, cyberlibel, incriminating innocent person, intriguing against
honor and malicious prosecution.
Then, the Makati City Prosecutor's Office said "the pieces of evidence so far
submitted are insufficient to establish that Dacera was sexually assaulted or
raped". . Makati prosecutors find no probable cause to charge Christine Dacera's
friends with rape and homicide. The Makati police have also been criticized for not
carrying out a thorough toxicology report when her body was found.
This case just not only focusing on the justice for Ms. Christine Dacera but also the
importance of conducting criminal investigation. The Christine Dacera case serves
as a
catalyst for improvement in criminal investigations, emphasizing evidence collection,
accurate forensic analysis, and effective interagency cooperation, sensitivity in
handling sensitive cases, transparency and accountability. This case stresses the
importance of rigorous investigation and justice for victims and their families. This
case offers a rich framework for analyzing complex criminology issues and
developing practical insights for improving justice systems.
III. RESULT/CONCLUSION
According to the medical-legal report of Flight Attendant Christine Dacera's listed the
cause of death as an aortic aneurysm, a form of aortic dissection; however, the
Dacera family believed that Christine Dacera was raped and disputed the medico-
legal report. In my insights when I will consider the medical-legal report, the case
rape or Christine Dacera is not a rape. She had drinks different alcohols and
ruptured aortic aneurysm remains her cause of death. Since Dacera suffered an
aneurysm, she was, therefore, she is not killed by her friends. About the bruises that
found in her body, I think she got it when she was drunk because of her excessive
movement that her body might hit. The medical report proves the innocence of her
friends and that they did not rape Christine Dacera because they never had sexual
relations with woman and they consider Christine as their sister.
A DNA examination conducted on the underwear of Christine Dacera found that only
her DNA was found. "No mixed DNA was observed", stated the report made by
Police
Maj. Jasper Magana, forensic DNA Analyst of PNP-CLO. A chemistry report
containing 0.14 grams of "white crystalline on a sachet substance" found at Room
2209 stated that it was not crystal meth, but sodium chloride or table salt. Results of
the examination conducted by Police Maj. Ofelia Vallejo, forensic chemist of SPD-
CLO showed that the specimen did not contain methamphetamine hydrochloride
"shabu", amphetamine type stimulants cathinone, or benzylpiperazine, a party drug.
But her mother, Sharon, insists there was foul play. "For me, my daughter was
raped," Mrs Dacera said in an interview with the news program.
In studying this case, the case impact’s on public trust in law enforcement and the
criminal justice system reform. The investigation involved multiple agencies,
demonstrating the importance of effective collaboration. "The pieces of evidence so
far submitted are insufficient to establish that guilt of the accused. But, many are not
convinced about the result of this investigation. However, in reality “It’s better to
release or let the criminal free than to convict an innocent person.” In connection of
this case to our subject Crime Detection and Investigation is significant because we
can gain valuable insights on proving the probable cause in improving criminal
investigation and promoting justice.
IV. REFERRENCES
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55714985
https://bbc.com/news/world-asia-55714985
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126902
