Cornejo's camp to sue Vhong for rape, not attempted rape

Businessman Cedric Lee speaks with ABS-CBN News on the fateful January 22 encounter with actor Vhong Navarro. Screencap

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of businessman Cedric Lee and alleged victim Deniece Cornejo will file a rape case against the showbiz personality instead of merely alleging attempted rape.

"Hindi lang attempted rape, rape na yung isasampa namin," Lee said in an ANC interview Tuesday morning.

Lee was reacting to reports that Navarro's lawyers are preparing to charge the businessman and his six companions for frustrated murder counts and serious illegal detention.

Lee claimed that he caught Navarro attempting to abuse 22-year-old Cornejo in a condominium unit in Taguig, prompting him and his friends to rescue her and in turn attack the actor.

Navarro denied the allegations, and said he was forced to admit to rape in a video footage taken by Lee that evening of January 22.

The businessman, meanwhile, denied the authenticity of alleged photos of Navarro's battered private parts.

"Ang baboy naman no'n. Kalalaki namin tao, gagawin namin 'yon," Lee said.

Cornejo claimed innocence from the beating and insisted that she was a victim of Navarro's actions.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on Monday that the National Bureau of Investigation is preparing to file raps against Lee and five others for the attack.  

Read: NBI readies raps in Vhong beating

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