MANILA – Host-actor Vhong Navarro denied that his penis was burned when he was assaulted by businessman Cedric Lee and six others inside the condominium unit of model Deniece Cornejo at The Fort in Taguig last January 22.
Navarro also denied that the picture of a burned penis which is currently being passed around via SMS is his.
“Hindi po [sa akin 'yun. Nakita ko na] pero hindi po talaga,” he told “Buzz ng Bayan” host Boy Abunda in an interview that aired on Sunday.
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| Vhong Navarro |
“'Yung mga panahon po na yun, naka-blindfold ako. After two days, three days, may nakitang pasa sa may tigiliran ko kaya pina-check po namin ulit lahat kasi that time, masyado ng lamog ang katawan ko, manhid na po,” he added.
During his first interview with Abunda last January 26, Navarro became emotional when he recalled his ordeal, saying “binaboy nila ako.”
Asked to explain what he meant by this, the “It’s Showtime” host said: “Mahirap kasi Tito Boy na ang ginawa sa akin ay naka-duct tape 'yung kamay ko tapos may pinapasabi yo na hindi mo ginawa, may nakatutok na baril sa 'yo tapos binaba yung short pants mo. Parang hindi mo gagawin 'yun sa isang tao.”
“Hindi ko alam kung ano po ang pumasok sa isip nila para gawin 'yun. Pero para sa akin, isang pambababoy 'yun,” he explained.
Navarro has claimed that he was set up by Cornejo for an extortion attempt allegedly led by Lee. The actor said he was blindfolded and tied up before being attacked by "six to seven men."
The actor filed six criminal charges against Lee, Cornejo, and six others last January 28 for serious physical injuries, grave threat, grave coercion, unlawful arrest, blackmail, and serious illegal detention.
Cornejo, in her rape complaint filed against Navarro last January 29, alleged that she was "rescued" by Lee's group from being sexually assaulted by the actor, which supposedly led to the mauling.
Vhong's 'other women'
In his Sunday interview with Abunda, Navarro also explained why he did not immediately go to the hospital when the group of Lee let him go.
“Yung sakit hindi ko nararamdaman. Puro takot po ang nararamdaman ko. That time, parang gusto kong ibigay yung gusto nila… Sobrang takot po Tito Boy. Sobrang takot. Hindi pa ako umuwi agad ng bahay.
Pinuntahan ko pa po 'yung mga kaibigan ko sa restaurant ng kaibigan ko. Kasi sabi ko hintayin nila ako kasi saglit lang po ako.,” he said.
Navarro also reacted on Lee’s statement that there are also other women, whom he allegedly molested in the past, who want to come forward.
“Parang wala po akong maalala Tito Boy. May mga lumalabas po, may naririnig, may bumubulong po sa akin na meron daw po silang ilalabas. Tito Boy kasi una sa lahat, wala akong magagawa. Kanila po 'yun eh. Basta sa akin, itong nilalaban namin, 'yung ginawa nila sa akin. 'Yun po 'yung sa amin,” he said.
Now trying to cope from the traumatic experience, Navarro said he draws his strength from his family, friends and supporters.
“Para sa akin, ang problema hindi talaga pwedeng takbuhan iyan. Kailangan harapin talaga. Ang nagbibigay po sa akin ng lakas ng loob yung pamilya ko, mga anak ko, mga kaibigan ko at yung mga hindi ko kilala,” he said.
The actor, however, assured his fans that he will definitely be back on “It’s Showtime” in the future.“Ngayon, mahirap talaga. Ang hirap pa pumasok sa ‘Showtime.’ Pero babalik ako. Hindi ko lang pa po alam kung kailan. Nami-miss ko 'yung ginagawa kong pagpapasaya sa kanila, pagpapatawa sa kanila.
Feeling ko kaya ako nandito dahil ito yung trabaho ko, magpasaya ng tao. Minsan ang mga komedyante, mas maraming dinadala yan. Pero mas masaya sila kapag nagpapatawa sila,” he said.
Navarro said he takes comfort from the fact that a lot of people got his back including his colleagues in the showbiz industry.
“Iba 'yung pakiramdam na 'yung mga kapwa natin sa industriya, sinasabi na susuportahan ka namin. Isa po 'yun sa mga nagpalakas ng loob sa akin para harapin ko lahat,” he said.
