Vhong Navarro: I did no wrong to Deniece, only to my girlfriend

MANILA, Philippines – A visibly more composed Vhong Navarro said in his latest interview that if there was anything he did wrong, it was only to his girlfriend.

“Wala po akong kasalanan kay Deniece, ang may kasalanan po ako sa girlfriend ko po. Doon po ako nagkasala, sa kanya po. Wala po akong kasalanan kay Deniece,” he said. (I didn’t do anything to Deniece. I did wrong to my girlfriend, not to Deniece.) Navarro was referring to young model Deniece Cornejo, who accused him of attempting to rape her. 

Navarro reportedly has a long-time, non-showbiz girlfriend. 

Looking almost like his old normal self, the actor bantered with Korina Sanchez on ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol on Thursday, February 6, about the incident that left him bruised and beaten on January 22.

He however turned serious as he defended himself and was adamant about his version of the story.

On allegations that he attempted to rape Cornejo, Navarro said, “Basta po ako, sinabi ko lang po kung ano ‘yung totoo. At ‘yung mga totoo na po ‘yun meron tayo pong mga patunay. At hindi po ako nagsisinungaling.” (I just told the truth, and there’s proof. I am not lying.) 

Navarro also said that Cedric Lee, whom he says was part of the group that beat him up and blackmailed him, was not a close friend. Navarro said he only met Lee before at a party.

He added he did not know the motives of the group involved in this incident. Neither did he know if Cornejo and Lee were dating.  

Navarro also confirmed that he initially did not want to go public with his story. “Bukod sa ayaw ko pong magsalita, ayaw ko pong magpaospital sa sobrang takot po…kasi po iniisip ko po hindi na lang po sarili ko, pati po ‘yung mga anak ko, ‘yung pamilya ko po na, e may gagawin po silang hindi maganda, at balak po nilang patayin.”

(Not only did I want to remain silent, I didn’t want to go to the hospital, I was so afraid. I wasn’t thinking only of myself, but also of my kids, my family, that others might do something unsavory, that they would kill them.) 

Mentioning his manager, film director Chito Roño, his girlfriend, and his friends, he said that the people who rallied around him gave him the courage to speak up. He said that at this point, there was no turning back, and that he was grateful for the support of his fans. 

Navarro was discharged from St Luke’s Medical Center on Thursday, February 6. After this, Navarro headed to the Department of Justice to give his sworn statement on the incident. – Rappler.com