MANILA, Philippines — Police are questioning 11 men in connection with the death of a flight attendant who was found lifeless in a hotel room in Makati after celebrating New Year’s Eve with her friends.
City police chief Col. Harold Depositar said three of the suspects were taken into police custody and eight others remain at large.
The suspects may be subjected to toxicology and drug tests, police said.
Depositar refused to identify the suspects pending results of the probe.
Christine Angelica Dacera, 23, was pronounced dead in the hospital due to ruptured aortic aneurysm, Depositar said, adding that veins in her brain burst.
Probers said they are also looking into the possibility that Dacera was raped.
“There was sexual contact, based on medico-legal report,” Depositar said.
He said lacerations were found in Dacera’s thighs as well as contusions on her knees.
Depositar, however, said they could not yet establish the rape angle without any testimony from witnesses.
Police said the 11 suspects are friends of Dacera’s friends, said to be a mix of gays and bisexuals who were invited during a New Year’s Eve party.
Initial reports said Dacera checked into the hotel with Rommel Galida, Gregorio de Guzman and John dela Serna at around 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 1.
After partying, probers said Dacera was found unconscious in the bathtub by Galida.
The partygoers were drunk, as seen on CCTV footage obtained by police.