Co-convict in Vhong Navarro case surrenders to NBI

A person convicted for the illegal detention of TV host and actor Vhong Navarro in 2014 has surrendered to authorities.

Ferdinand Guerrero surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday, according to GMA Integrated News' John Consulta.

According to Consulta's video posted on Facebook, Guerrero was brought to the NBI's office in Quezon City accompanied by his lawyer.

The video also showed NBI agents reading Guerrero the charges against him and informing him of his rights.

Guerrero surrendered days after the Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 153 found him and three others guilty for illegally detaining Navarro.

Among those convicted were businessman Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo and Simeon Raz. 

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

Only Raz and Cornejo personally attended the promulgation and were immediately committed by the court.

Lee, meanwhile, surrendered to the NBI hours after the promulgation. 

In 2014, the group was accused of holding Navarro captive and inflicting serious physical injuries on him.

In finding them guilty, the RTC said it found it unusual that the accused gathered in one place with a police officer a few hours before Navarro and Cornejo intended to meet up.

It said that the accused initially concealed that their meeting place was in Ritz Towers and changed their testimonies after seeing the CCTV footage from the tower.

Further, the Court said that the alleged rape of Cornejo was also part of the scheme.

In March 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed the case of rape and acts of lasciviousness against Navarro due to lack of evidence.

--Joahna Lei Casilao/KBK/ VAL, GMA Integrated News