Deniece Cornejo surrenders

 

'She was never in Samar,' says family lawyer

MANILA - Model Deniece Cornejo, one of five people charged with serious illegal detention in connection with the January 22 mauling of actor Vhong Navarro, surrendered on Monday afternoon to authorities.

Cornejo arrived at Camp Crame in Quezon City at around 4 p.m., PNP Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac said.

Cornejo was accompanied by her immediate family, including granduncle Rod, and the senior Cornejo's legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio.

According to Sindac, Cornejo was brought to the office of PNP chief Alan Purisima to discuss her surrender.

"Siya ay nagprisinta ng sarili niya and she appeared before the chief PNP (Purisima) and had a short talk [with him]," Sindac told ANC. "It was a short conversation. [Purisima] has emphasized that she will be treated fairly and will be given the proper treatment."

Cornejo was then transported via a coaster to the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) building, where she was processed under the Women and Children Protection Desk.




Cornejo's co-accused, Cedric Lee and Simeon Raz, were arrested for the same non-bailable offense in Oras, Eastern Samar last April 25 after weeks in hiding.

Sindac said they have yet to verify whether Cornejo was hiding with Lee and Raz, following evidence that the two had a female companion in Samar. However, Topacio denied that Cornejo was ever in the area with her co-accused.

"I'm not at liberty to tell you where she was but I believe that there's no harm in saying that... she was never there," Topacio told ANC.

Cornejo will be brought to the Taguig Regional Trial Court on Tuesday, CIDG head Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong told DZMM.

'Confident of innocence'

Topacio, who was tapped by Rod Cornejo to help Deniece "a few weeks ago," said his client had been wanting to surface as she was always confident of her innocence in the controversy involving Navarro.

"I think she really wanted to give up and face the accusations against her being very confident of her innocence," Topacio said. "Of course, she is young and being accused of these things, she was [making up her] mind about it, and because of the uncertainty as to what will happen."

Topacio added: "I think having received good counsel from her lawyers, and also from her relatives, she finally decided to turn herself in and face the charges."

The lawyer said Cornejo was also encouraged to surrender after learning of her granduncle Rod's plea for her to face the charges against her.

While Topacio did not disclose details of the surrender, ABS-CBN News learned that Cornejo's family contacted PNP Human Rights Affairs Office head Chief Supt. Prudencio Tom Banas, with whom they are acquainted, to express Deniece's intention to surrender.

Aside from Cornejo, Lee, and Raz, arrest warrants for serious illegal detention were issued against Ferdinand Guerrero and Jed Fernandez -- who remain at large.





All five, plus Lee's sister Bernice and Jose Paolo Calma, were issued separate arrest warrants for grave coercion.

Bernice, Cornejo and Fernandez earlier posted P12,000 bail each for the criminal offense. Calma, meanwhile, left the Philippines last April 10 despite a lookout bulletin order mentioning his name.

Lee and his co-accused have claimed that they had to attack Navarro to supposedly rescue Cornejo, who alleged that she was raped by the actor when he visited her last January 22 at her condominium unit at Forbeswood Heights in Taguig.

Navarro denied raping Cornejo and alleged that he was blindfolded, tied up and mauled by Lee's group. The "It's Showtime" co-host claimed that Lee's group forced him to say on camera that he raped Cornejo, and that they used the video and a police blotter detailing the alleged rape to threaten him against reporting the incident.

The Department of Justice has since dismissed Cornejo's rape complaint against Navarro.

Meanwhile, Navarro's manager, film director Chito Rono said the timing of Cornejo's surrender of "suspicious," and advised the actor and his legal team "to be ver cautious for any drama." -- Reports from Edwin Sevidal, DZMM; ANC

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Accused in Vhong case backs out as state witness?

MANILA -- Jed Fernandez, one of the accused in the mauling of actor Vhong Navarro, has reportedly backed out from being a state witness.

In an exclusive interview on "Buzz ng Bayan" on Sunday, veteran journalist and Pilipino STAR Ngayon columnist Tony Calvento, who is helping the camp of Navarro in doing investigative and research work, said Fernandez initially expressed his interest to be a state witness through a friend.

Calvento said it was Fernandez's friend who personally met with him in a Japanese restaurant and revealed the supposed plan of Cedric Lee's group against Navarro.

"We went to a Japanese restaurant, I went alone at nagusap kami. Sabi ko sa kanya, 'Bakit kita tutulungan? Ano'ng sasabihin mo?' Sabi niya kaibigan niya si Jed Fernandez," he said.

According to Fernandez's friend, Lee called a meeting at a poolside of a hotel on January 22, the day Navarro was mauled, to agree on what to do to the "It's Showtime" host.

"Nagtawag daw ito si Cederic Lee ng isang para bang general meeting ng mga taong involved nang gabing iyon. That was January 22, the same day that Vhong was mauled."

He said Lee and his group all agreed to "teach Vhong a lesson."

"Masyadong mainit si Cedric, to the point na ang dating daw ni Cedric e gusto niyang patayin si Vhong," Calvento said. "Then after ng usap-usap na iyong they agreed to teach Vhong a lesson. What lesson it was, wala akong idea."

Calvento said the man he was talking to in the Japanese restaurant even called Fernandez who was crying on the phone.

"Tinawagan niya si Jed, binigay niya sa akin ang telepono, kinausap niya 'ko," he said. "He was crying, 'tulungan mo naman ako, natatakot ako kay Cedric, baka ako'y patayin, tulungan mo 'ko, bigyan mo ko ng proteksiyon, pero sasabihin ko lahat ng totoo.'"

Calvento said Fernandez, as a sign of good will, even revealed the identity of the person seen holding a duct tape with Lee's group in a CCTV footage the night Navarro was mauled.

However, Calvento only disclosed the suspect's first name, Edgar, in the "Buzz ng Bayan" interview, saying "he knows who he is."

He said Fernandez's friend revealed later in their conversation that Edgar is their family's driver-bodyguard.

After that, Calvento said he told Fernandez and his friend to seek help from the Department of Justice (DOJ) if they really want protection.

The two vowed to appear before the DOJ on Holy Tuesday, but both decided to go to the Justice Department on the Monday after the Holy Week, carrying an affidavit.

Calvento said Fernandez and his friend gave three reasons why they wanted to turn against Lee.

"They wanted to be a state witness, to be discharged from the roster of the accused.. para daw matapos na rin ang mga ginagawa ni Cedric, at kasi takot na takot sila kay Cedric Lee, para mabigyan naman sila ng proteksyon at ang kanilang mga pamilya," Calvento said.

However, Calvento said that according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Fernandez, for some reason, decided to back out in fear for his life.

"I am only basing sa binanggit sa akin ni Secretary na he changed his mind, he's a cry baby and that he is very scared of Cedric Lee and what he can do to his family... Umatras siya," he said.

Despite this, Calvento said Navarro's camp remains confident because Fernandez and his friend already appeared before the DOJ and gave a lot of details.

"Humarap sila sa DOJ e, nagsalita sila at marami kaming nakuha." -- Buzz ng Bayan, April, 27, 2014

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Vhong still traumatized, to undergo brain checkup

MANILA - Movie director Chito Roño admitted that his ward, "It's Showtime" host Vhong Navarro, is still afraid to be alone after he was mauled last week at The Fort in Taguig City.

Navarro earlier filed charges of serious illegal detention, serious physical injuries, grave threats, grave coercion and blackmail against businessman Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo and a few others.

The actor-host accused Lee and his companions of beating him up inside the condominium unit of Cornejo at the Forbeswood Heights last January 22.

In an interview on radio DZMM on Friday, Roño said that while Navarro is physically recovering, he is still traumatized and wants to be with his friends all the time.

"Physically he is getting better. Siguro I would say may moments pa siyang nararamdaman niya yung trauma niya. Natatakot pa din siyang mag-isa. Gusto niya may kaibigan palagi siyang kasama, kausap," said Roño.

When asked who is always with Navarro in the hospital, the director said: "Marami. In fact mararamdaman mo 'yung family niya, mga kaibigan niya laging nandoon. Father niya, mga tiyahin niya. Nung una hindi namin pinapayagan kasi hindi naman nakakausap, pinapahinga namin kasi masyadong traumatic."

Roño said that they already allowed Navarro's family to visit him, except for the latter's children.

He said they want to be sure that the actor-host will fully recover from what happened.

"The other day nagawa na 'yung surgery niya [sa ilong] so nung unang araw hirap na hirap siya kasi he was unable to use his nose to breathe. Nahihirapan siyang huminga, magsalita. At the same time, he is in pain. Yesterday he's much better, may tendency lang na lumalabas sa kanyang operasyon so medyo pinaiingat lang siya," he said.

"Siyempre it's under observation, mayroon siyang bagong iniindang sakit sa gilid so the doctor went yesterday to look at it also. We've been advised 'yung sa head to check it thoroughly, mas magandang ngayon pa lang matignan na kung may namaga sa brain niya mismo," Roño added.

Rape case

Roño refused to comment when asked of Navarro's reaction that Cornejo already filed a rape case against him.

"Hindi siya masalita, alam naman niya, sinasabi din niya 'yung totoo so hindi ko mararamdaman kung ano ang nararadaman niya," he said.

Asked to comment on the issue that there are other women claiming that they were also "victims" of Navarro, Roño replied: " Hindi niya alam 'yon kasi di namin pinaparinig sa kanya ang lahat ng news at 'di namin pinapanood ng TV para 'di na siya ma-upset, [sabi namin] magpagaling ka muna.

"Alam naman natin 'yan, so wala kaming comment doon. When you say marami, you just said marami, so I don't know kung ano 'yon, we are not concerned kasi we want to focus on what happened to him, on what they did to him."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Deniece's family has yet to come out

MANILA - The legal counsel of Denice Cornejo has explained why no member of her family has come out in support of the now-controversial model.

Speaking on ANC's "Headstart" on Thursday, Atty. Howard Calleja said Cornejo has requested for the privacy of her parents amid her filing of rape charges against TV host and actor Vhong Navarro.

"The father, I was informed by Deniece, is an OFW working abroad. Some of the family members are here, some are also abroad, but she requested us to keep this private, to keep the privacy of the family.

"And that request, we accede to that. We also request the public to respect the privacy of the family... The support of the family is there, but it doesn't mean if they are not beside her on TV, they are not beside her in actuality," he said.

Cornejo formalized her rape complaint against Navarro on Wednesday, a day after the "It's Showtime" host filed criminal charges against her and seven other in relation to a January 22 mauling incident in Taguig.

In her complaint-affidavit, Cornejo claimed that the actor forced her to perform oral sex on him and tried to insert his penis in her vagina, but was "rescued" by businessman Cedric Lee and his group.

Navarro denied attempting to rape Cornejo and claimed that he was a victim of extortion. He said he was blindfolded and tied up before being attacked by at least six men including Lee.

The actor has since charged Lee, Cornejo and six others with serious physical injuries, grave threat, grave coercion, unlawful arrest, blackmail, and serious illegal detention -- a non-bailable offense.

As the controversy unfolded early this week, people on social media brought up the absence of Cornejo's family members.

But according to Calleja, their lack of presence on television does not mean his client does not have the support of her parents.

"May mga tao na ayaw mo lang magpa-TV, 'diba? But it doesn't mean na in my office or any other place that we see them or meet them and that we see the support of the family... All I'm saying is that they would like their privacy to be maintained, and that, we respect," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Vhong Navarro files cases vs Lee, Cornejo, et al

MANILA -- Actor-host Vhong Navarro has filed cases against the group of businessman Cedric Lee, who allegedly attacked him inside a condominium unit in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig last week.

Navarro's legal counsel, Atty. Alma Mallonga, confirmed with DZMM on Tuesday that they formalized the complaints at around 5 p.m.

Lee, sibling Bernice Lee, and model Deniece Cornejo are now facing cases for serious physical injuries, illegal detention, grave threats, unlawful arrest and grave coercion and blackmail.

Mallonga confirmed several others are facing charges.

The lawyer said included in the cases are "the most important evidence, which is Vhong's statement, the medico-legal report, the statements of the security guards, and, of course, the CCTV footage is already there."

"Hindi pa siya kumpleto. But to me, the case, the evidence that will be used, is already there. I'm very happy. Vhong is relieved," she said.

According to Mallonga, the most "essential" evidence backing Navarro's charges is the CCTV footage, which purportedly shows those who were accused in the mauling incident last January 22.

"When you see the CCTV footage, if ever you get to see it at the proper time, you will be appalled by the brazenness of the named perpetrators of this crime, and even more by the psychotic ability to say with a straight face na ganito ang nangyari," the lawyer said.

Navarro has accused Lee, Cornejo and five others of attacking him inside a condominium unit in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, leaving him with serious injuries including a broken nose that required reconstructive surgery.

Earlier on Tuesday, Lee accused Navarro of "twisting the facts," saying the host's account of the incident is an exaggeration. Cornejo, meanwhile, maintained that Navarro attempted to rape her and will file the appropriate legal case against him.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Deniece tells Vhong: I am the victim

MANILA – Deniece Cornejo broke her silence in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News on Monday, stressing that she – and not host-actor Vhong Navarro – is the victim in last week’s incident at her condominium unit at The Fort in Taguig.

Appearing with siblings Cedric and Bernice Lee, Cornejo said she is ready to file charges against Navarro for attempting to rape her.

“Isa lang po masasabi ko. If you want justice, I’ll give you the real justice. Mataas, napakataas ng paghanga ko sa mga lalaki na marunong rumespeto at ipagtanggol ang mga kababaihan. Kung meron mang inosente at biktima rito, wala nang iba kung hindi ako,” she told ABS-CBN News reporter Jay Ruiz.

Addressing Navarro, who was beaten up last Wednesday, Cornejo said: “Vhong, hindi ko kailangang umiyak, ipakita na awang awa ako [sa sarili ko]. Sa lahat ng mga naniniwala at sumusuporta sa tao, lalo na sa ’yo – at wala akong kalaban-laban dahil alam kong marami kang napasayang tao – magaling kang artista, idolo kita. Pero sa mata ng prinsipyo, ang mali ay mananatiling mali at hinding hindi mananalo ang kasamaan sa kabutihan.”

Cornejo said she initially wanted to keep the incident under wraps, saying she wanted to lead a private life.

However, she said she had no choice but to speak up because her reputation has been affected by Navarro’s statements.

“Uulitin ko. As much as possible, gusto kong maging pribado buhay ko at ayokong lumaki nang ganito. Hindi ko ito pinili, pinili niya ito. Pero kung ang pangalan ko ang nakasalalay dito at reputasyon ko, ibang usapan na ‘yun,” she stressed.

“I’ve consulted my lawyer. Pero for now, medyo nato-trauma ako sa mga ganyang ugali at saka pangyayari,” she added.




‘Vhong wasn’t courting me’

In the exclusive interview, Cornejo denied that Navarro has been courting her.

“Hindi naman po [nanliligaw]. Siguro na-impress siya, na gusto niya ako,” she said.

When asked if Navarro himself told her that he likes her, Cornejo said: “Hindi ko masabi… Kasi ano siya, komedyante.”

According to Cornejo, she was shocked by Navarro’s so-called sexual advances.

“Opo… Gustong gusto kong lumaban,” she said.

Meanwhile, Cornejo admitted that she is related to a top executive in another network.

“Lolo ko po ‘yung isa sa mga matataas na posisyon sa kabilang network,” she said, not mentioning a specific name.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Cedric Lee has links to NBI?

MANILA - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will be impartial in its probe into the mauling of ABS-CBN talent Vhong Navarro, assured Justice Secretary Leila De Lima in the wake of reports Cedric Lee, the leader of the group that beat up Navarro, is well-connected, even with the NBI.

In a text message to ABS-CBN News, De Lima said she will look into Lee's reported links to "past and present" NBI officials.

"As in any probe that we undertake, I will make sure that the NBI's probe will be impartial and credible. I will also look into Cedric Lee's alleged connections to certain NBI officials, past or present," De Lima said.

The NBI has initiated an investigation into the incident and has subpoenaed Lee and Deniece Cornejo at 2pm, today, Monday, to its main office in Taft Ave., Manila.

Cornejo is the friend who Navarro visited in her condominium unit on Wednesday night, where the incident took place.

Cornejo and Lee's camp claims Navarro attempted to rape her, which led to the mauling incident.

Navarro, however, denies this, and claims Lee and company merely wanted to extort P1 million from him.

Another mauling incident allegedly involving Lee was reported in 2007, with athlete and TV personality David Bunevacz as the alleged victim.

Lee denied Bunevacz's allegations against him in a sworn statement executed with the NBI, reported entertainment website PEP.PH.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com