The Philippine National Police (PNP) urges the public to refrain from posting unverified or “speculative” information concerning Christine Dacera’s death on social media as these could affect the investigation.
“That is our advisory pero alam ninyo ang mga mamamayan natin hindi rin ho mapigilan kahit ano pong pagbibigay niyo ng advice. That’s their opinion, their right kung kinakailangan,” PNP spokesman Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana said in a phone interview.
“Pero kung sakali man po, as a matter of truth, dahil ebidensya ang nagbibigay sa atin ng kadahilanan para malaman kung sino, saan at kailan nangyari itong insidenteng ito, magsubmit na lang tayo sa imbestigasyon na isinasagawa ng kapulisan po,” he added.
The rape-slay case sparked outrage over social media and rape culture. #JusticeForChristineDacera and #StopVictimBlaming trended on Twitter.
According to the investigation by the authorities, it is possible that the victim was allegedly given drugs and raped.
There were also wounds found on the victim’s body.
It was also found out that the victim did not know that they were in a hotel with an estimated nine to 10 suspects.
Two rooms were allegedly rented at the hotel where the suspects were having a party.
PNP urges public not to post ‘speculative’ info on Dacera’s death
The identified suspects will be charged with rape with homicide, three of whom have already been arrested.
There were around 11 suspects and one of them is considered a “primary” suspect.
Usana said the police are not the ones who are uploading the photos of the suspects on social media.
“‘Yung usapin na may mga speculations sino ‘yung nag-upload, ang mga pulis naman ho ay di naman ho siguro motivated by sharing to the public right away kung hindi kung ano rin ho ‘yung nakita nilang ebidensya kasi sila rin ho ang mapupulaan kung ‘yung pinepresent nila ay di pala matibay na ebidensya,” Usana said.
He also urged the public to just stick with the facts of Dacera’s case.
“Alam niyo naman ang social media, ang mga netizens, sadya po talagang… dapat discerning po ang mamamayan natin, tingnan ho nila ‘yung mga facts of the case kasi baka po magkaroon ng implication po ito sa katotohanan na gusto nating makuha sa kasong ito,” Usana said.