There is no need yet to seek the issuance of precautionary hold departure orders (PHDO) against the 11 suspects in the alleged rape-slay of flight attendant Christine Dacera, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said.

“PHDO in the dacera case? not at this time,” he had told reporters.

“Prosecutors apply for PHDO when, based on the evidence presented during the preliminary investigation, probable cause that a crime has been committed is more or less established, and it is likely that the respondent(s) will flee from the country before the criminal information is filed in court,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office is set to start this Jan. 13 the preliminary investigation over the rape with homicide complaint filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) against 11 suspects.

Those named as respondents in the complaint were John Pascual Dela Serna III, Rommel Galidoo, John Paul Halili, Gregorio Angelo Rafael De Guzman, Clark Rapinan, Valentine Rosales, Mark Anthony Rosales, Rey Ingles y Mabini, Louie De Lima, Jammyr Cunanan, and a certain Ed Madrid.

Dacera was found dead last Jan. 1 in the bath tub of her hotel room in Makati City.

The PNP initially arrested three suspects as PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas warned those who were at large will be subjected to a manhunt if they don’t surrender.

The manhunt was called off as the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office ordered the release of the arrested suspects and the conduct of the preliminary investigation due to insufficient evidence submitted by police investigators.