by FFE Entertainment News Staff

The conflicting accounts of the two parties involved in the mauling of actor-host Vhong Navarro in a condominium in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig last 22 January will be investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday.

‘It’s worth investigating because we are dealing with two versions at kailangan hustisya din dapat sa tunay na biktima. Dapat makamit ang hustisya,’ said De Lima.

The investigation by the NBI was prompted by Navarro’s call to bureau officials a day after the comedian was allegedly beaten up by a group of men led by businessman Cedric Lee, who then extorted money from him.

Meanwhile, Deniece Cornejo, who Navarro allegedly attempted to rape, did not show up yesterday after she was subpoenaed by the NBI’s National Capital Region (NCR) office. She earlier told NBI officials that she will bring Lee with her. The NBI has not yet subpoenaed Lee because it does not have his address.

Deniece Cornejo

NBI NCR assistant regional director Vicente de Guzman said that Lee and Cornejo might lose their chance to air their side of the story before the NBI completes its investigation. De Guzman added that the bureau might file corresponding cases not later than Thursday whether or not Lee and Cornejo decided to show up.

Cornejo, 22, told media yesterday that Navarro brought her food in the night of 22 January. When he got inside the unit, his behaviour changed and he attempted to rape her.

Lee said he was on his way to Cornejo’s condominium with his sister and another male friend when they heard shouting coming from inside the unit. After entering the unit, Lee said they saw Navarro attempting to rape Cornejo, prompting his group to beat up the actor in Cornejo’s defense.

Navarro’s lawyer, Dennis Manalo, said they would file charges ‘as soon as possible’ against eight to 10 people including Cornejo, Lee, Lee’s sister Bernice and five to six others.

Manalo said the charges they were considering filing are serious physical injuries, grave threats, extortion and deprivation of liberty.

 What do you think of Cornejo and Lee’s no-show at the NBI? Share your thoughts on the comment box below.