Makati police chief and SPD medico-legal, relieved due to Dacera case

Philippine National Police chief General Debold Sinas approved the recommendation to remove the Makati Police chief, Southern Police District medico-legal officer, and two investigators for their alleged negligence in the Christine Dacera case.

“Three things I have already discussed kay [National Capital Region Police Office acting director Police Brigadier General Vicente Danao Jr.] the following recommendations I have approved. First, of course, is to relieve the chief of police for command responsibility and he will be replaced later on the recommendation of the [regional director] of the NCRPO,” Sinas told reporters this Wednesday.

“Second, the relief and investigation of the two investigators na involved doon and the investigation determining kung mayroong lapses and negligence ‘yong medico-legal or SOCO team ng SPD,” he added.

According to Sinas, the four were temporarily removed from their respective positions during the internal investigation.

“However as the [Special Investigation Task Group)] and the RD of the NCRPO might need their services ay kasama pa po sila doon for the smooth transfer of documents, evidence and others,” explained Sinas.

However, Sinas said that the NCRPO chief will decide when to implement such a recommendation.

“It’s just a recommendation and I leave that to the RD NCRPO to implement the recommendation which I already approved. It’s up to the RD NCRPO to implement it,” said the PNP chief.

Makati police chief and SPD medico-legal, relieved due to Dacera case

At noon on January 1, friends saw Dacera, 23, not breathing in the bathtub of the room they rented at a hotel in Makati City after celebrating the New Year.

Dacera’s family believes that there was a crime against the girl, but her friends at the hotel denied it.

The Makati prosecutor’s office is conducting a preliminary investigation to find out if there was a crime in Dacera’s death.