DOJ forms Vhong case probe body, issues 'lookout order' vs Deniece, Lee

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has formed a panel to conduct a preliminary investigation on the serious illegal detention case filed by actor Vhong Navarro against model Deniece Cornejo and company.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano assigned the probe on charges of serious illegal detention, serious physical injuries and four other offenses to Assistant Prosecutors Olivia Torrevillas, Hazel Decena-Valdez and Marie Elvira Herrera.

The DOJ also granted the National Bureau of Investigation's request to issue a lookout bulletin order against Cornejo, businessman Cedric Lee and their companions including Bernice Lee, Ferdinand Guerrero and Zimmer Rance.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that state investigators deem the group to have "high probability of flight" amid reports that Lee and Cornejo have booked February 6 air tickets to Singapore.

Related story: Lawyer: Lee, Cornejo did not book flights

The DOJ said that Arellano would be immediately informed by the Bureau of Immigration once Cornejo or the other respondents attempt to flee the country.

The lookout order, however, would not prevent Cornejo and the others from leaving the country. - with reports from Edu Punay

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