Deniece Cornejo reacts to dismissal of second rape case

Alexa Villano

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Deniece Cornejo reacts to dismissal of second rape case
Lawyer Salvador Panelo says Deniece slashed her wrist as a sign of protest against the 'injustice' she suffered with regard to the dismissed rape case that she filed against actor Vhong Navarro

MANILA, Philippines (UDPATED) – Model Deniece Cornejo has slashed her wrist, according to her lawyer, as a symbol of protest against recent developments with regard to the rape case she filed against actor Vhong Navarro. 

In a statement sent to The Buzz on Sunday, July 13,  Deniece’s lawyer Salvador Panelo said that Deniece cut herself Sunday morning, July 13. 

“Deniece Cornejo slashed her wrist this morning to call attention to the injustice she is suffering from- and as a symbolic  protest against  the July 11, 2014 anomalous dismissal of the rape case she filed against Vhong Navarro, which rape complaint she already formally withdrew on July 4, 2014, so she can focus on her defense on the serious illegal detention and perjury cases filed against her.  Dismissal of the rape complaint by the City Prosecutor of Taguig already previously withdrawn by the complainant Deniece is grave misconduct  and smacks of evident bad faith  intended to further impair her credibility. She is presently in a state of depression and going through sleepless nights,”  the statement read.

“She is still in shock why she, who is a victim of sexual abuse is languishing in jail. She decries the fact that powerful personalities in the movie industry have used their influence on the powers -that-be and the media to cast her as the heel instead of being the wronged victim. The tragic saga of Deniece Cornejo continues even as the purveyors of injustice remain hostage to ignorance and progressive putrefaction.”

Panelo also wondered how the City Prosecutor can dismiss the case, when they withdrew it a week ago. He said Deniece withdrew the case for personal reasons.

Host Boy Abunda also said that he got a message from Deniece’s grandfather Rod Cornejo, and according to him upon his visit, the wound Deniece sustained was superficial.

According to a report from GMA-7, Deniece is said to have cut the letters “W R,” into her wrist. The letters supposedly stand for “Women’s Rights.”

The same report says that this has prompted the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (CIDG) to enforce stricter rules in the detention facility to avoid similar incidents in the future. 

In a resolution dated July 1, it was announced that the Office of the City Prosecutor of Taguig dismissed Deniece’s second rape complaint.

Deniece filed a second rape complaint in addition to the first one, where she said she was raped on January 22. In the second case, she said she was also raped on January 17.

The first rape complaint was dismissed by the Department of Justice in April.

Meanwhile, in an interview with The Buzz, Vhong said that he is grateful for the support he has been getting.

Syempre, nagpapasalamat ako sa mga taong nagdadasal at naniniwala sa akin. Wala naman makapangyarihan kung hindi ang Panginoon.”

(I am grateful for those who continue to pray and believe in me. No one is powerful but God.)   – Rappler.com

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Alexa Villano

Alexa is one of Rappler's Lifestyle and Entertainment reporters, covering local entertainment news to a wide range of topics from beauty pageants to reality shows.