Cops say Vhong asked to keep condo incident from media

MANILA, Philippines - Taguig City policemen on Monday said TV host and comedian Vhong Navarro requested that the police blotter on his alleged attempt to rape Deniece Cornejo be kept secret from the media.

At a press briefing, Southern Police District director Chief Superintendent Jose Erwin Villacorte presented olice Officers 3 Eugene Pugal, Dalmacio Lumiuan and Rolly Laureto and Sr. Inspector Eduardo Alcantara, the Southern Police District (SPD) officer-of-the-day assigned on the night Navarro was brought by Cedric Lee, Bernice Lee and Cornejo to the police headquarters.

Lumiuan, who was the desk officer on duty at that time and was the one who took the testimony of Cornejo, said he did not recognize Navarro at first as he already has a swollen right eye and had his hands tied with duct tape at the back.

The police officers on duty belied reports that they did not provide Navarro with medical assistance.

Laureto said that while he handed over warm water for Navarro to wash his face, he asked the actor if he wishes to be brought to a hospital. Laureto said Navarro declined the offer and even requested that the incident be not leaked to media.

"Ayaw po nyang padala sa ospital. Sabi nya, wag din ilabas sa media," said Laureto.

Laureto added that when he asked Navarro if he wanted to say something, the actor also refused saying, "Wag na sir."

"I asked him if he wanted to say something as a counter charge, but he refused," Laureto said in Filipino.

Laureto said that as he was talking with Navarro, he soon recognized him to be the "Showtime" host.

Lumiuan said it was Cornejo who manifested that she is no longer pursuing the complaint against Navarro.

"Gusto ko lang po for records purposes lang. Sana lang po ;wag lalabas sa media," Lumiuan quoted Cornejo as saying.

Navarro, 37, is the subject of a blotter entry at the SPD's District Investigation and Detection Management Division (DIDMD) for attempted rape filed by Cornejo.

According to the blotter entry, Navarro arrived at Cornejo's unit at about 10:30 p.m. last Wednesday (January 22).

The complainant said she was alone at the time and welcomed Navarro inside. The blotter entry then said the complainant was pushed by Navarro to a chair.

The complainant said she then fought Navarro off and ran towards her room. She said Navarro followed her and forced her to the bed. Navarro then tried to remove her short pants and forced himself ontop of her.

While she struggled to free herself from Navarro, Cornejo's friends Cedric and Bernice arrived and saw the incident. Cornejo's friends then made a citizen's arrest and brought Navarro to the SPD at 11:49 p.m.

Cornejo, however, indicated in the blotter entry that she was no longer interested in pursuing the complaint against Navarro.

After signing the blotter entry, the police officers present at the DIDMD office that time brought Navarro back to the Forbeswood Heights condominium aboard a police patrol car. Navarro had parked his car at the condominium. The police officers said it was Navarro who requested that he be escorted back to the condominium.

No malice

The police officers said that there was nothing unusual with the blotter entry being made at the SPD and not at the Taguig Police detachment at the Bonifacio Global City, which is closer to the Forbeswood Heights condominium located at the Burgos Circle.

"This is a police station. We can entertain cases here. There is no malice here. We do not know these people. This was just for records purposes only," said Lumiuan.

Lumiuan said that if the complaint was filed at the BGC detachment, it would still be forwarded to the Taguig City Police headquarters being its mother unit.

Lumiuan said they have informed their immediate superior, Sr. Supt. Nelson Bautista of Navarro's presence at their office.

Meanwhile, Villacorte said there was also nothing wrong with the complaint for attempted rape being recorded at the DIDMD instead of the Women's and Children's Desk.

"If the woman (Cornejo) was really filing a complaint, the police officers would refer her to the Women's Desk. But she was not interested in filing a complaint. It is just for the blotter," he said.

"The same goes for Vhong. He was also not interested in filing a counter charge at that time," Villacorte added.

Villacorte, meanwhile, said both Navarro and Cornejo could still file their respective formal complaints with the police.

"They might change their mind. Nothing is stopping them from filing complaints. It is up to them. They were the ones who entered into that agreement. If they wish to break that agreement, they could do that. The SPD is open for them to accept their statements. But should that happen, we will let the Taguig Police handle that. Taguig has the jurisdiction over that incident," he said.

Villacorte said Navarro's case is not unusual as even ordinary police stations regularly accept similar complaint.

"Physical unjuries is among the most number of complaints we get. If this had happened to ordinary people and there was an amicable settlement, it would be over," he said.

Villacorte added that he is proposing that medical examination and treatment be made compulsory in cases of physical injuries even if the offer to be treated is refused.

Villacorte said the complaint filed by Cornejo was not referred to the Women's Desk which the would have readied the case for filing with the Prosecutors Office as she had refused to pursue it.

"There was already an amicable settlement," he said.