All-female DOJ panel to probe Vhong case: Cedric, Deniece on BI lookout list

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) officially started yesterday its preliminary investigation into the criminal charges filed by actor-television host Ferdinand “Vhong” Navarro against a businessman and several others who beat him up inside a condominium unit in Taguig City last Jan. 22

A three-woman panel of state prosecutors created by the DOJ will determine whether there is probable cause for the filing of criminal cases against Cedric Lee, his sister Bernice, model Deniece Cornejo, and five others in connection with the beating of Navarro inside Cornejo’s unit at Forbeswood condominium.

Lee claimed they had to beat Navarro because the latter was resisting arrest when they saw the TV host raping Cornejo. But Navarro denied he was raping Cornejo, saying Lee’s group set him up to extort P2 million from him.

A police source, meanwhile, said Lee may lose the license for his two registered guns, one of which was in his possession when he and companions roughed up Navarro.

Cornejo filed a rape case against Navarro last Wednesday.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano designated Assistant State Prosecutors Olivia Torrevillas, Hazel Decena-Valdez and Marie Elvira Herrera as members of the panel. The charges leveled against the group by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) include the non-bailable offense of serious illegal detention, serious physical injuries, grave threats, grave coercion, unlawful arrest and “threatening to publish and offer to prevent such publication for compensation.”

Also named respondents are Ferdinand Guerrero, Zimmer Raz, a certain Mike or JP Calma, and two other unidentified men.

Cornejo, through lawyer Howard Calleja, filed a counter-charge of rape against Navarro before the Taguig City prosecutor’s office.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she is considering consolidating Navarro’s complaint with Cornejo’s counter-charge of tape.

“I’m waiting for the recommendation of the PG (Arellano) if it would be proper or desirable to consolidate those cases to avoid possible conflict or if they can coexist independently of each other. I told PG to study the matter and to make appropriate recommendation,” she told reporters in an ambush interview.

Also yesterday, the DOJ instructed the Bureau of Immigration to place Lee and companions under the lookout bulletin order. The BI is under the supervision of the DOJ

In her instruction, De Lima said the respondents’ departure from the country to escape prosecution is “highly probable.”

She said the BI should immediately relay to her office or the NBI any attempt of any of the respondents to leave the country.

“Said information shall immediately and promptly be relayed to the foregoing and to any other concerned government office or agency, keeping in mind that time is of the essence in these situations, especially to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken thereafter,” the order read.

“Hence, all concerned are strongly warned against waiting until boarding time to inform the concerned offices of any attempt to leave the country,” it added.

Immigration commissioner Siegfred Mison said the LBO on Lee’s group took effect at noon yesterday. He also said they have no record of the addresses or nationality of Raz and Guerrero.

The NBI said earlier it was checking on a report that Lee and Cornejo had booked a trip to Singapore via Philippine Airlines flight PR 503 for Feb. 6 at 7:55 a.m.

It was reported that the flight reservation was done online last Monday, but had not yet been paid. But even if their names are on the lookout bulletin order, the respondents cannot be prevented from leaving the country. One can only be restrained from leaving the country through a court order – specifically watchlist or hold departure order.

There is an existing SC temporary restraining order on the DOJ’s authority to issue HDO or watchlist order.

Spurious gun license

A source told The STAR that Lee was able to register his Taurus and Glock 9mm with the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) despite his not having undergone the required neuro-psychological and drug tests. Records of his Glock firearm at the FEO storage area were reportedly damaged by flooding during Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009.

“The FEO is still in the process of reconstructing all the records,” a police official who requested anonymity said.

Navarro had said that Lee pointed a gun at him during the Jan. 22 incident.

Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, spokesman for the office of the chief PNP, said they are waiting for a formal request from the NBI for the revocation of Lee’s firearm licenses.

Under Republic Act 10591 or the New Gun Control Law, the PNP chief or his representative may revoke, cancel or suspend a license or permit for a gun found used in criminal activities.

A gun owner also loses his license if he is convicted of a crime punishable by more than six years imprisonment.

“Loss of the firearm, ammunition or any parts thereof through negligence and carrying of the firearm, ammunition or major parts thereof outside the residence or workplace without the proper permit to carry or in prohibited places,” the police official added.

If the gun holder is a government official or employee, dismissal for cause from the service could be basis for revocation of his gun license.

The PNP may also revoke firearms license obtained using falsified documents.

Meanwhile, a representative of the law firm handling Cornejo’s rape case against Navarro showed up at the NBI, three days after the subpoena for the model had lapsed.

“We are just here to formally introduce ourselves and let (the NBI) know that we are willing to cooperate,” said lawyer Arleo Magtibay of the Calleja Law Office.

Cornejo and Lee are represented by Howard Calleja. Earlier, the NBI said Cornejo had waived her chance to explain her side by snubbing the agency’s subpoena. One of those subpoenaed, Mike or JP Calma, sent a letter to the bureau yesterday asking for a rescheduling of his appearance date.

Assistant regional director Vicente de Guzman of the NBI- National Capital Region said they working to establish the identities of three men who reportedly joined Lee’s group in beating up Navarro.

The NBI has also asked three condominium guards to come back with CCTV recordings for Jan. 17, the first time Navarro visited Cornejo’s unit. “We want to see if the footage will match Vhong’s story,” De Guzman said. With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Evelyn Macairan, Aie Balagtas See