Eleven men have been provisionally charged with the gang rape and murder of Christine Angelica Dacera, a 23-year-old Philippine Airlines Express flight attendant who was found unconscious in an empty bathtub in her hotel room after a New Years Eve party in Makati, Manila.
A preliminary police report claims she was found with scratches and bruises across her body, as well as “lacerations and sperm in her genitalia”. One of her friends, who is also a flight attendant and who she had spent the evening with discovered Christine’s body in the early hours of the morning and started CPR.
Despite the efforts of first responders, Christine was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. One of the men who has been arrested is the friend who performed CPR on her. His mother claims her son is innocent and says he couldn’t be responsible because he is gay.
Nine other suspects, however, remain at large with police promising to track down the men. Christine’s mother has pleaded with the men to turn themselves in.
“To those involved in the accident that happened to my daughter, if you are innocent, show yourselves. If you want to prove that you are innocent, show up,” she said during a press conference on Tuesday.
Christine was described by Philippines Airlines Express as an “upstanding and professional” flight attendant “who will be sorely missed by her colleagues and friends.”
“PAL Express mourns the tragic death of Cristine Dacera last January 1 during New Year revelry in Makati City,” a statement from the airline continued. “Our desire is for the truth to come out in the interest of justice”.
In a separate development, the Commission on Human Rights said it would conduct its own investigation into the incident, saying there should be an end to violence against women.
🙁 This is very sad. Hopefully they can identify the rapist through DNA tests and sperm. May she rest in peace.