Cedric Lee surrenders to NBI after guilty verdict

Businessman Cedric Lee is now in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation hours after a Taguig court found him, Deniece Cornejo, and two others guilty of serious illegal detention.

It was 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night when NBI agents took custody of the convict in Mandaluyong. He arrived at the NBI headquarters in Quezon City at almost 8 p.m.

Lee said he opted to submit himself to the authorities while his lawyers prepare his appeal before the Court of Appeals. 

He said it was better to be in prison than be in hiding because he could talk to his loved ones and lawyers.

Lee, who had been detained before, expressed confidence that the truth will come out eventually as long as he followed the process.

According to Olan Bola's report on Super Radyo dzBB, NBI director Atty. Medardo Dilemos said the agents picked up Lee after the latter sent word that he was turning himself in.

Lee had his mugshot and fingerprints taken following his surrender. The warrant for his arrest will be returned to the Taguig Regional Trial Court, which will be expected to come up with a commitment order.

The court on Thursday found businessman Lee, Cornejo, Ferdinand Guerrero, and Simeon Razguilty of illegally detaining TV host and actor Vhong Navarro in 2014.

In a 94-page decision, the Taguig RTC-Branch 153 found the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt of serious illegal detention for ransom under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code.

The court sentenced them to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years imprisonment.

"It is all too apparent that the accused planned and premeditated to restrain Vhong Navarro to extort money from him. Proof of their agreement is inferred from their conduct before, during, and after the commission of the crime," the court said.

It added that their conduct disclosed "a common understanding between them" on the commission of the crime.

The court also canceled the bail bond of the accused. —NB, GMA Integrated News