Taguig cops probe attack on actor

MANILA, Philippines - The Taguig City police has started an investigation of the alleged attack on actor Vhong Navarro in a condominium unit at the Bonifacio Global City Wednesday night, an official said yesterday.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Arthur Felix Asis said their investigators are relying mainly on informal sources for information as Navarro, 37,  has yet to file a formal complaint with the police.

 â€œWe are investigating this because this is a crime that happened in the city. We are, however, asking that he (Navarro) help us shed light on what happened,” Asis said.

He added that they are puzzled as to why Navarro did not report the incident to the police and did not seek police assistance immediately after the alleged attack.

On Friday, Navarro’s manager, film and television director Chito Roño said in a statement that the actor was invited by a female friend to visit her in a condominium in The Fort Wednesday night. Some reports state that Navarro met the woman only that day.

When Navarro was in the condominium unit, a group of unidentified men allegedly beat him, blindfolded him and tied him up. The men then allegedly threatened him and even extorted money from him.

Roño added that owing to injuries he suffered, Navarro will not be seen on his regular noontime show “It’s Showtime” and other projects, and might even undergo an operation.

Other reports quote Roño as saying that Navarro continues to receive threatening text messages from his attackers.