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MANILA, Philippines – Businessman Cedric Lee and one other accused in the mauling of comedian-host Vhong Navarro were arrested Saturday morning, April 26.
In a radio interview over DZMM, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed the arrest of Lee and Zimmer Raz at 11:15 am in Eastern Samar.
NBI agents and local police raided an unidentified resort in Samar at around 1 pm Friday, locals said.
De Lima said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been tracking the two accused who have “hopped from one location to another” from Sorsogon in Bicol region to Eastern Samar in the Visayas.
“Yesterday afternoon or last night, they were tracked down but managed to briefly escape. Based on initial report, nakapuslit kahapon (they escaped yesterday),” De Lima said.
The two will be brought to the NBI headquarters in Manila, she added.
Lee and Raz have a standing arrest warrant issued on April 11 by the Taguig court, where the two were charged with serious illegal detention and grave coercion over the beating of Navarro.
De Lima said the court will decide where to jail them.
The mauling of Navarro occurred on January 22 at a unit in Forbeswood Heights Condominium in Taguig City, supposedly owned by one Soledad Ramos and leased to model Deniece Cornejo.
Lee’s camp claims that the beating was an act of citizen’s arrest, as Navarro allegedly raped Cornejo for less than a minute. (READ: Cornejo: Rape can happen in a minute, cites SC ruling)
Cornejo’s rape complaint against Navarro was dismissed by the DOJ investigating panel for lack of probable cause.
On April 12, a day after their arrest warrants were issued, Lee booked a Cebu Pacific flight bound for Dubai.
He later canceled his booking, said the Bureau of Immigration in a statement.
Lee also faces a tax evasion complaint before the DOJ over P194.47 million (around $4.37 million) in unpaid taxes by general contractor Izumo Contractors Incorporated of which he is president and CEO. – Rappler.com
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