Sinas wants police chief axed over Dacera case

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas yesterday approved the recommendation sacking Makati police chief Col. Harold Depositar and three other PNP officers for alleged lapses in the investigation on the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera.

Sinas said he approved the recommendation of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) relieving Depositar from his post for command responsibility.

The DIDM also recommended the administrative relief of the medico legal officer who conducted the autopsy on Dacera’s remains and two police investigators for negligence.

“All of them will be relieved from their posts because ongoing pa ang internal investigation,” Sinas told reporters.

The PNP chief did not reveal the names of the three other police officers. However, a copy of the autopsy report, which circulated on social media identified the medico legal officer as Maj. Michael Nick Sarmiento.

An initial spot report from the Southern Police District named one of the investigators as Cpl. Louie Lopez.

According to Sinas, it is up to National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) director Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. whether or not to implement the DIDM’s recommendation.

“I  leave that to the NCRPO chief to implement the recommendation, which I already approved,” Sinas said.

Sought for comment, Danao said he would wait first for the resolution of the Makati prosecutor’s office on Dacera’s case before acting on the recommendation.

Danao explained that it is unfair to Depositar and the other police officers if they would be sacked from their posts pending results of the preliminary investigation of the case.

“They will remain as is, pero kung ano man ang magiging outcome lalo na if it is not in favor doon sa pag-file ng case, definitely heads will roll,” he said.

The National Bureau of Investigation has yet to release the second autopsy report on Dacera.

At least 11 men are facing charges of rape with homicide before the city prosecutor’s office over  Dacera’s death.

She was found unconscious in the bathtub of the City Garden Grand Hotel in Makati on Jan. 1 after partying with her friends.