Philippine Airlines mourns flight attendant Christine Dacera

  MANILA – Philippine Airlines has mourned the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera who was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Makati City on New Year’s Day. “Our desire is for the truth to come out in the interest of justice,” Philippine Airlines (PAL) Express in a statement on Tuesday (January 5). Dacera was a flight attendant of PAL Express, the low-cost carrier under Philippine Airlines. PAL Express described Dacera as an “upstanding and professional PAL Express crew member who will be sorely missed by her colleagues and friends.” On Monday, authorities charged 11 people with rape with homicide in connection to Dacera’s death. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death is still underway and police are looking at the possibility of foul play and gang rape. According to records, Dacera, 23, had checked in to the City Garden Grand Hotel with three male friends past midnight on January 1. They were joined by two other friends of friends before five more men joined them in the private party and checked in the adjacent room. Police said that CCTV footage from the hotel showed Dacera and the group “moving back and forth” between the two hotel rooms they rented until 6am where she was seen being led back to the hotel room where she was later found unresponsive in a bath tub. She was rushed to a hospital where she was declared dead on arrival due to ruptured aortic aneurysm.

Evidence of sexual contact found

Makati City Police Chief Col. Harold Depositar said Dacera “had lacerations and sperm in her genitalia,” as well as bruises, contusions, and scratches on her arms and legs. Depositar said there was “definitely sexual contact”. The 11 people who were with Dacera during the party have been charged with rape with homicide. Only three of the men are in custody and police have launched a manhunt for eight of the suspects.

Lawmaker offers P100,000 bounty for suspects

Representative Eric Yap of ACT-CIS party-list is offering P100,000 reward to anyone who can help find the suspects or has knowledge of the incident. “We are strongly condemning this merciless and conscienceless crime!” Yap said on Facebook. “This crime has no place in our society.” Police named the suspects as John Pascual Dela Serna III, Rommel Daluro Galido, John Paul Reyes Halili, Gregorio Angelo de Guzman, Louie de Lima, Clark Jezreel Rapinan, Rey Englis, Mark Anthony Rosales, Jammyr Cunanan, Valentine Rosales and Ed Madrid.

Dacera death: Makati hotel may face suspension

On Tuesday, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has ordered City Garden Grand Hotel to explain within three days why it should not be suspended for the possible violations for accepting guests for leisure purposes. DOT regional director Woodrow Maquiling Jr. said under the rules, hotels can not accept guests if they are used as a quarantine or isolation facility.

PAL Express extends support to Dacera family

Meanwhile, PAL Express said that it was “extending full support to the flight attendant’s family at this most difficult time.” Dacera’s family had flown to Manila from General Santos to seek justice. Her mother, Sharon, said that the victim last called her at past midnight on January 1. Sharon said that during the video call her daughter even showed her the flight attendant friends that she was with. “I didn’t have any presumption something will happen to my daughter, because she was with her colleagues,” Sharon said in Filipino. Dacera’s mother said she couldn’t imagine that her daughter would be dead 12 hours later. “I want to seek justice. Justice for my daughter,” she said.

Family believes Christine was set-up, says lawyer

Family counsel, attorney Jose Ledda said the Dacera family believed that Christine was set-up. “The victim didn’t expect those people that night. Let’s just put it that way. She was supposed to be with friends and she was not supposed to be with strangers,” Ledda said. “They invited friends of friends, something like that, ‘no, and I think most if not all are gays also, bisexual, and then they had a party,” he added. Police said there were several bottles of liquor found in the hotel room. Christine allegedly told her friend that she suspected that someone might have spiked her drink. Police have yet to confirm this. The investigation continues. CAM/Expat Media
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