Vhong Navarro runs to Mar, PNP for protection

ROXAS and NAVARRO. Photos by ARNOLD ALMACEN

MANILA, Philippines – Vhong Navarro asked for police protection Friday as his lawyer claimed that death threats had begun hounding the actor-comedian, who is both a suspect in a rape complaint filed by a commercial model and the accuser in a mauling and extortion case involving the model and her friends.

Navarro’s lawyer Dennis Manalo and talent manager Chito Roño made the request in a one-hour meeting in Camp Crame with Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.

Speaking to reporters after the morning meeting, Manalo said he asked that “certain security” be extended to his client by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as a “precautionary measure” in view of the threats.

Manalo said Roxas and Espina, the PNP deputy chief for operations, “offered to provide security.”

“They also asked about the threat (and said) they wanted to make sure that no harm would be further inflicted on Vhong. What we really need right now is police presence and police visibility at Vhong’s residence,” Manalo said.

Commercial model Deniece Cornejo, 22, has filed a rape complaint against Navarro, 37, earlier this week, saying he forced himself on her while they were inside her unit at Forbeswood Condominium at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, on the night of Jan. 22.

Navarro, on the other hand, filed a string of cases against Cornejo and seven others, including the now controversial businessman Cedric Lee, saying he was set up for blackmail, beaten up by Lee and his men, and forced to admit on video that he raped Cornejo.

The actor’s complaints—for serious illegal detention, grave threats, grave coercion and unlawful arrest—were investigated and later approved for filing by the National Bureau of Investigation in the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Before the two camps swapped charges, Cornejo, Lee and the others earlier had an “attempted rape” incident recorded at a police station at BGC that same night, with Lee claiming that he caught Navarro in the act. They presented a bound and black-eyed Navarro to the police, but at that point Cornejo did not press charges.

Manalo on Friday said the actor had started receiving threatening messages on his mobile phone. There were also unidentified people who had gone to Navarro’s house, trying to open the gate, he said.

According to the lawyer, Roxas and Espina advised Navarro to keep the NBI informed about the threats so the bureau can help trace the source.

Manalo said he also brought up another concern: The “use of a gun during the assault” on his client. He did not name who exactly used a gun, but said he raised the matter with Roxas and Espina to have gun permits revoked in the course of investigating the persons charged by Navarro.

“There was an expression from the PNP that they will review and take a look at this matter and see what the proper procedure is as far as this issue is concerned,” Manalo said.

Manalo said the meeting also tackled the protocols followed by the Southern Police District, which received Cornejo’s first report on the alleged rape attempt, and the private security force of Forbeswood in connection with Jan. 22 incident.

“We have been assured by ranking officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the PNP that they will also coordinate and make sure that the security agency is in compliance with the laws and regulations regarding their industry,” Manalo said.

Manalo called on Lee and the other men accused of mauling Navarro to “cooperate with the investigation so they won’t have a hard time.”

“All the agencies of the government, from the DILG, PNP, NBI and DOJ, have assured us of a truthful, impartial and swift investigation,” Manalo said.

Rono said that while Navarro’s condition had improved, the actor remained in the hospital for further treatment.

He said Navarro was still scared to be left alone and always needed someone to talk to.

Since the Jan. 22 incident, the actor had yet to see his children, Roño added.