PNP orders probe on possible connivance between Lee, relieved SPD cops

Cedric Lee. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police has ordered an investigation on the possible connivance of relieved Southern Police District officers with businessman Cedric Lee.

Police Director Francisco Montenegro, PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management director, sought the help of the National Capital Region Police Office to conduct a probe on the background of bungling SPD officers and their possible involvement in the bid of Lee, model Deniece Cornejo and Navarro to cover up the mauling and alleged rape incident.

“The situation has created negative public perception and gave the impression that the police officer on duty during the time that the incident was recorded in the blotter was likewise in cahoots with the latter,” Montenegro said.

On the day of the incident last January 22, Lee, Cornejo and several others chose to bring Navarro to the SPD headquarters instead of filing a complaint in Taguig police station, which raised eyebrows among PNP higher ups.

As the case developed, he pointed out that several information revealed that Lee has alleged business links and association with high-ranking police officers, including former PNP Logistics Director Luizo Ticman and former PNP Records Management director Abner Cabalquinto.

This prompted as well the DIDM chief to ask NCRPO to look into the current and previous contracts of the PNP with Lee.

Also included in the memo was the request of DIDM to trace the ownership of  Cornejo’s Forbeswood Heights rented condominium in Bonifacio Global City and the cost of its monthly rental.

According to the National Bureau of Investigation, the said unit where the alleged rape took place was owned by a certain Soledad Ramos.

Before Cornejo rented the unit, it was previously leased by a Malaysian national identified as Greg Binunus.

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