Furniture intact, contrary to Cedric Lee's claim, say NBI agents
MANILA -- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents found bloodstains on a sofa and a laptop bag inside the condominium unit being rented by model Deniece Cornejo, where actor Vhong Navarro was mauled on January 22, the NBI said Tuesday.
However, the condo unit seemed to be in good condition, with no furniture or appliances destroyed -- contrary to a claim earlier made by businessman Cedric Lee.
The NBI, on Tuesday, showed video footage of its inspection of Cornejo's unit at Forbeswood Heights in Taguig City where Navarro was beaten up by the group of Lee and where Cornejo was alleged raped by the TV host-actor.
It was the first time the NBI entered the unit.
NBI agents were accompanied by the building administrator, unit owner Soledad Ramos, and Greg Binunus, a Malaysian who was renting the unit.
The NBI found some awards and certificates belonging to Cornejo, as well as a sign that says men are not allowed to sleep in.
Blood stains inside the room drew the NBI's attention.
"Another significant (finding), there was blood stain here sa sofa. Hindi naman tayo nakakuha ng sample. Wala kaming kasamang forensic (expert) at that time so we'll have it examined by our forensic examiner," said NBI assistant regional director Vicente de Guzman.
NBI agents said they did not see any damage to the appliances and furniture inside the unit. Even the condo unit's television set was not damaged, they added.
In an earlier interview with ABS-CBN News, Lee denied trying to extort money from Navarro.
"Ang issue sa pera ay di po extortion. Nag-come up kasi yan kasi nadamage yung properties ni Deniece sa condo dahil sa pagu-upakan namin... nabasag yung 40-inch TV," he claimed.
"There are issues of extortion. Number one, we never extorted any money from him. It's very clear in my text to him, which he can show to his lawyers or to the law enforcers. The text I said to him is for the damages (sic) caused by this incident. Damages (sic) to property. Alangan namang ako pa ang magbayad ng mga nawasak na TV at saka lamesa," Lee had said.
The NBI, however, is disputing Lee's account.
"Hindi sira yung TV, nakasabit pa rin siya. Sinabi naman ni Mrs. Ramos so far wala naman siya nakikita na gamit na mga nadagdag o nabawas... iyung pina-gamit niya kay Greg," NBI special investigator Rommel Ramirez said.
The NBI said there were also no signs that the condo unit was ransacked.
Cornejo, in her complaint-affidavit in the rape case she filed against Navarro, said she did not sleep inside her unit on January 22 after the mauling and alleged rape incident happened, and only returned there the next day.
Cornejo claimed that she later found out that the condo was ransacked and robbed.
The NBI, meanwhile, is waiting for an affidavit of Binunus, explaining his relationship with Cornejo.
Binunus earlier said he only met Cornejo at a party last December and allowed her to use the condo unit for 2 months.
He added that he does not know Lee.
Navarro first visited Cornejo in the condo on January 17 and the mauling incident happened a few days later on January 22.
The NBI is asking permission from the administration of Forbeswood Heights to conduct a reenactment of the incident inside Cornejo's unit.
