PNP chief Debold Sinas has ordered the relief of the Makati City police chief and two investigators for lapses in the investigation on the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera.
Sinas said the relief of Col. Harold Depositar and the two investigators was recommended by the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management.
He had earlier ordered the DIDM to look into the possible administrative liability of Makati City police personnel into the bungled probe.
Sinas said the DIDM had three recommendations, two of them the relief of the Makati City police chief “for command responsibility,” and the relief and investigation of the two investigators, who were not identified.
He said the third recommendation is for the conduct of further investigation to determine possible lapses and the negligence of medico-legal personnel from the Scene of the Crime Office.
Sinas said it is up to the National Capital Region Police Office to name a replacement for Depositar.
“All of them will be momentarily relieved from their posts because of the ongoing internal investigation,” said Sinas.
Police initially filed rape with homicide charges against 11 alleged suspects in the case that was initially declared as “closed” by Sinas but the Makati City Prosecutors Office ordered
further investigation into the case. Prosecutors also ordered the release of three suspects initially taken into custody.
The Dacera family has asked the PNP to relieve officials involved in the investigation, citing their sloppy work, particularly in the conduct of autopsy on the 23-year-old victim.
Initial autopsy indicated Dacera died of ruptured aortic aneurysm or massive internal bleeding. Police officials later said they are investigating if the death of Dacera was a case of rape with homicide.
