Deniece Cornejo’s camp questions Vhong Navarro’s detention at NBI jail

The camp of model Deniece Cornejo on Tuesday questioned Vhong Navarro's detention at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Jail a day after the issuance of a warrant of arrest on the rape charge.

According to Saleema Refran’s report on “24 Oras”, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Cornejo’s legal counsel, said Navarro should be detained at the Taguig City Jail in accordance with the “procedures under the law”.

“Ang batas ang dapat sundin... At nakalagay sa batas, ang procedure diyan, ang taong naaresto para sa kaso na ito ay lilitisin sa lungsod ng Taguig, dapat nakapiit sa Taguig City Jail. 'Yan ang batas,” Topacio said.

(We should follow the law. According to the law, an accused should be detained where the arrest warrant was issued. He will be arraigned in Taguig, so he should be detained at the Taguig City Jail.)

“Ang pwede lamang po i-detain sa NBI ay 'yung mga arestado in flagrante delicto, 'yung mga caught in the act or iimbestigahan ng NBI,” he added.

(The only persons who may be detained at the NBI are those arrested for in flagrante delicto or those caught while in the act. Individuals being investigated by the NBI are also allowed.)

The Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 69 released Navarro’s second warrant of arrest, this time for rape charges — a non-bailable offense.

The actor’s camp said they have yet to receive the commitment order from the court and the resolution for the basis of the cases. However, they are now preparing to file a petition for bail.

“To be honest, hindi namin inakala na ganun kabilis 'yung pag-issue ng warrant of arrest dahil mayroon kaming at least 3 motions before the Honorable Court,” Lawyer Alma Mallonga, Navarro’s legal counsel, said.

(To be honest, we did not expect the arrest warrants would be issued immediately because we have at least 3 motions before the Honorable Court.)

“Hindi lang sufficient na may kasong rape against Mr. Navarro. Dapat kapag humingi kami ng bail, obligado ang prosecution to show na malakas ang ebidensya, hindi lang kahit na anong level ng ebidensya, there should be strong evidence,” she added.

(A rape case is not sufficient enough. If we file a petition for bail, the prosecution should be obliged to show they have strong evidence. Not just evidence in whatever level but a strong one.)

Mallonga further said their camp will respect where the actor will be detained. In the meantime, they have sent out a copy of the return of the arrest warrant and are waiting for the schedule of Navarro’s arraignment. —Sundy Mae Locus/NB, GMA News