Cops in Vhong blotter suspended

MANILA, Philippines - The four Southern Police District officers who were present at the District Investigation and Detection Management Division (DIDMD) office on the night of January 22 when actor Ferdinand "Vhong" Navarro was brought in to sign his blotter entry have been relieved from their posts pending the completion of an investigation of the incident by the Internal Affairs Service (IAS).

Chief Supt. Jose Erwin Villacorte, SPD Director, said Police Officer 3 Dalmacio Lumiuan who processed the blotter entry, PO3 Eugene Pugal, PO3 Laureto and Sr. Inspector Eduardo Alcantara, the officer of the day at the time of the incident, were relieved as part of an administrative procedure.

"They were removed from their posts to prevent them from interfering with the ongoing IAS investigation," said Villacorte.

Villacorte said the IAS investigation has yet to finish its probe into alleged irregularities in the incident and submit the report to him.

Navarro, 37, is the subject of a blotter entry at the SPD's DIDMD for attempted rape filed by model Deniece Cornejo.

According to the blotter entry, Navarro arrived at Cornejo's unit at about 10:30 p.m. on January 22.

Cornejo said she was alone at the time and welcomed Navarro inside. The blotter entry then said the complainant was pushed by Navarro to a chair.

The complainant said she then fought Navarro off and ran towards her room. She said Navarro followed her and forced her to the bed. Navarro then tried to remove her short pants and forced himself on top of her.

While she struggled to free herself from Navarro, two of her friends, Cedric Lee and Bernice Lee then arrived and saw the incident. Cornejo's friends then made a citizen's arrest and later brought Navarro to the SPD at 11:49 p.m.

Cornejo however indicated in the blotter entry that she was no longer interested in pursuing the complaint against Navarro.

After Navarro signed the blotter entry, Pugal, Lumiuan and Laureto then brought him back to the Forbeswood Heights condominium aboard a police patrol car. Navarro had parked his car at the condominium. The police officers said it was Navarro who requested that he be escorted back to the condominium.

Lumiuan was the desk officer on duty at that time and who took the testimony of Cornejo.

According to Lumiuan, he did not recognize Navarro at first as the TV host  already has a swollen right eye and had his hands tied with duct tape at the back.

The police officers on duty also belied reports that they did not provide  medical assistance to Navarro.

According to Laureto, while he handed over warm water for Navarro to wash his face with, he asked the actor if he wishes to be brought to a hospital. Laureto said Navarro declined the offer and even requested that the incident be not leaked to media.

"Ayaw po nyang padala sa ospital. Sabi nya, 'wag din ilabas sa media," said Laureto.

Laureto added that when he asked Navarro if he wanted to say something, the actor also refused saying "Wag na sir."

"I asked him if he wanted to say something as a counter charge, but he refused," Laureto said in Filipino.

Laureto said that as he was talking with Navarro, he soon recognized hom to be the "Showtime" host.

According to Lumiuan, it was Cornejo who manifested that she is no longer pursuing the complaint against Navarro.

"Gusto ko lang po for records purposes lang. Sana lang po 'wag lalabas sa media," Lumiuan quoted Cornejo as saying.

The police officers added that there was nothing unusual with the blotter entry being made at the SPD and not at the Taguig Police detachment at the BGC which is closer to the Forbeswood Hieghts condominium located at the Burgos Circle.

"This is a police station. We can entertain cases here. There is no malice here. We do not know these people. This was just for records purposes only," said Lumiuan.

Lumiuan said that of the complaint was filed at the BGC detachment, it would still be forwarded to the Taguig City Police headquarters being its mother unit.

Lumiuan said they have informed their immediate superior, Sr. Supt. Nelson Bautista,  of Navarro's presence at their office.