PNP chief Debold Sinas yesterday declared the rape-slay of a 23-year-old Philippine Airlines flight attendant at a Makati City hotel on New Year’s day as having been solved following the arrest and indictment of three suspects.
Sinas identified the three as John Pascual Dela Serna III, 27; Rommel Daluro Galido, 29; and John Paul Reyes Halili, 25. They were charged with rape with homicide during inquest proceedings at the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Monday.
Sinas said nine other persons who were with victim Christine Angelica Dacera during her stay at the City Garden Hotel are being sought by the Makati City police. They are Gregorio Angelo de Guzman, Louie de Lima, Clark Jezreel Rapinan, Rey Englis, Mark Anthony Rosales, Jammyr Cunanan, Valentine Rosales, Ed Madrid and one Paul.
Dacera attended a New Year’s Eve party with her friends at the City Garden Hotel. On the afternoon of January 1, she was found unconscious in the bathtub of her hotel room.
Hotel personnel tried but failed to revive her. She was later rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said there is no need right now for the National Bureau of Investigation to step in on the investigation on the alleged rape-slay of Dacera.
“For now, we will let the Philippine National Police handle the case. As soon as the police file a complaint with the prosecutor’s office, we may issue a travel alert order to the Bureau of Immigration,” Guevarra said.
PAL Express, in a statement, said it mourns the tragic death of Dacera, adding she was an outstanding and professional PAL Express crew member who will be sorely missed by her colleagues and friends.
“We are extending full support to the flight attendant’s family at this most difficult time. Our desire is for the truth to come out in the interest of justice,” the statement said. — With Ashzel Hachero
