MANILA, Philippines — Bernice Lee, the sister of businessman Cedric Lee, was released on Tuesday after posting bail following arrest late Monday for a case of grave coercion in connection with the alleged mauling of television host Vhong Navarro.
The Taguig Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 74 ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to discharge Lee from custody.
She is facing charges of grave coercion linked to the alleged assault of Navarro purportedly led by her brother, Cedric and model Deniece Cornejo last January 22.
"Bernice Lee ... posted a required cash bail bond in the amount of P12,000 deposited to the Office of Clerk of Court dated April 22, 2014 for her provisional liberty," Judge Bernard Bernal said in the order of release.
NBI agents arrested Lee at the house in Greenhills West, San Juan where she lives with her brother, shortly after 6:00 p.m. Monday. Cedric was not home during the arrest.
On Monday, the Taguig city Regional Trial Court Branch 271 issued arrest warrants against Lee, Cornejo and three others for the non-bailable charge of serious illegal detention.
Bernice was also a respondent to the case, but she was not issued with the second arrest warrant.
Cedric, meanwhile, is still at large.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had said that one of the accused has turned state witness to reveal details of the group's purported "Oplan Bugbog."