De Lima rejects Deniece's lookout bid vs Vhong

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima declined for now model Deniece Cornejo's request to issue a lookout bulletin order against television host Vhong Navarro.

De Lima said on Wednesday that the agency has yet to find a reason to justify the immigration alert against Navarro, accused by Cornejo of rape.

She said Navarro is not seen as a "flight risk" as he is the victim of a January 22 mauling incident in Cornejo's temporary place of residence in Forbeswood Heights, Taguig City.

Navarro does not seem to have any intentions of leaving the country, De Lima explained.

On Tuesday, lawyer Howard Calleja, representing Cornejo, formally requested the Department of Justice to include Navarro in the immigration lookout bulletin.

"Kung nakitang pinaskil ang picture ng kliyente ko, eh dapat ipaskil rin ang picture niya, na sa lahat, na may kaso siyang rape," Calleja said.

Read: Cornejo's camp asks DOJ for lookout order vs Vhong

Earlier, the justice official asked the Bureau of Immigration to alert the country's ports and exit points against Cornejo, businessman Cedric Lee and companions. The group faces charges for serious illegal detention, serious physical injuries and grave threats among others filed by the National Bureau of Investigation.

De Lima deemed the group to have "high probability of flight" amid reports that Lee and Cornejo have booked February 6 air tickets to Singapore.

Calleja denied, however, that his clients will  flee the country and escape the charges against them.

Read: Lawyer: Lee, Cornejo did not book flights

The lookout order, however, does not prevent individuals from leaving unless the court issues a hold departure order and arrest warrants.