DILG to increase police visibility around Vhong Navarro's house

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said the Philippine National Police (PNP) agreed to increase police visibility at the residence of actor Vhong Navarro on the request of his manager and lawyer.

Roxas said the PNP agreed to beef-up police visibility around the actor's residence following a meeting among him, PNP chief of directorial staff Director Leonardo Espina, Navarro's lawyer Dennis Manalo and his manager Chito Roño at Camp Crame on Friday.

"During our meeting, they asked and we agreed to increase police visibility at his residence to address their concerns about his and his family’s safety," said Roxas.

However, Roxas stressed that Navarro's personal security will be handled by company guards provided by ABS-CBN.

"They asked for visibility in their home address so PNP will include it in their mobile patrol route. His personal security is being handled by company guards," Roxas said in a text message to the Star.

Meanwhile, Roxas said the PNP and the DILG will also review a request from Navarro's camp to check for possible violations in relation to the gun licenses and permits to carry guns outside of the residence issued to businessman Cedric Lee and the other accused in the actor's mauling case.

"We, the DILG and the PNP, will review their request to determine if there are any violations in relation to the licenses and/or permits to carry of the guns allegedly in the possession by the respondents in the incident currently under investigation," Roxas said.

Roxas added that the DILG will also review if there were lapses or violations of procedure or protocols by the police officers of the Southern Police District who entertained the complaint of attempted rape earlier filed by model Deniece Cornejo against Navarro.

Roxas also said he has directed the PNP's Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Divisio to review if there were violations committed by the Megaforce security agency, which is in charge of the security at the Forbeswood Heights Condominium at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig where Navarro said he was mauled by Lee and several other men on the night of Jan. 22.