Suspect in Vhong mauling 'no show' at NBI

MANILA, Philippines - One of the men allegedly involved in the mauling of TV host Vhong Navarro inside a condominium in Taguig City on Thursday failed to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation.

JP Calma, however, sent a letter to NBI-National Capital Region director Elfren Meneses Jr., asking that the questioning be moved to a later date.

"Masyado daw maaga kasi ang pagpapadala ng summons sa kanya," NBI special investigator Rommel Ramirez said.

Ramirez, who is handling the Navarro case, said the agency has granted the rescheduling of the hearing to February 6, around 10 a.m.  at the NBI-NCR building in Manila.

Another suspect in the mauling of Navarro, Jed Hernandez, has also been summoned to air his side of the story.

He is expected to appear before the NBI at around 2 p.m.

Calma and Hernandez have been identified by witnesses as among those who were with businessman Cedric Lee on the night of Navarro's mauling inside a unit at Forbeswood Heights condominium at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City last January 22.

Lee said he and his group caught Navarro raping Deniece Cornejo inside her rented unit at the 2nd floor of the condo building.

The NBI has also summoned the owner of the unit, Soledad Ramos, to get her testimony.