Suspects in Vhong Navarro mauling absent at NBI meeting

None of the suspects sent subpoenas in the alleged mauling of actor-host Vhong Navarro appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Thursday.

 

However, the suspects sent their respective legal counsel. 

 

The attorney of suspect JP Calma asked the NBI to reset the date of his appearance because he needed more time to prepare. The NBI granted the request and ordered him to appear on Monday, Feb. 3.

 

The suspects subpoenaed by the NBI were Calma, Jed Fernandez, Ferdinand Guerrero, businessman Cedric Lee and his sister Bernice, model-stylist Deniece Cornejo and martial arts expert Zimmer Rance.

 

Appearing as representative of Cornejo and the Lee siblings was Atty. Argel Magtibay of the Calleja Law Office. Magtibay explained that it was only on Monday (Jan.27) that the clients sought the legal assistance of their firm, giving them no ample time to ready the testimonies of Cornejo and the Lee siblings.

 

Magtibay however promised full cooperation on the bureau's investigation but refused to say when they will present their client before the NBI.

 

"I'm not at liberty to say that. I'm just introducing myself to NBI directors to say that we are handling the case," Magtibay said in an interview on GMA News' early evening newscast, "24 Oras" Thursday evening.

 

A representative of Soledad Ramos, the owner of the condominium unit at Forbeswood Heights in Taguig where the mauling incident took place, also appeared at the NBI  but gave no testimony from his client.

 

The NBI said another subpoena will be issued against Ramos as her testimony would be vital in the investigation.

 

Meanwhile, no representative for Rance appeared before the bureau, despite an acknowledgement sent by his brother, Joseph, that Rance has already received the subpoena.  

"He lost his chance to air his side. Baka DOJ na ang mag subpoena sa kanya," said NBI-NCR assistant regional director Atty. Jun De Guzman.

 

A separate team from the NBI went to the hospital where Navarro is confined. The NBI agents asked Navarro to identify the individuals that appeared on the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of his visit at Forbeswood Heights condominium. — Elizabeth Marcelo/ELR/JDS, GMA News