Taguig Regional Trial Court on Thursday found Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo, and others guilty of serious illegal detention for ransom in the case filed against them by artist Vhong Navarro.
BREAKING: Deniece Cornejo, Cedric Lee at 2 iba pa, hinatulang guilty ng Taguig RTC laban sa kasong isinampa ng actor na si Vhong Navarro | RH 27 @nochecacas #SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/X98Qe9YQrO
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) May 2, 2024
In a 2-page document obtained by DZRH News, Taguig RTC Branch 153 found Lee, Cornejo, Ferdinand Guerrero, and Simeon Raz guilty beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced them to reclusion perpetua.
On the other hand, the bail bond of the accused was immediately canceled by the court.
The court immediately committed Raz and Cornejo, who personally attended the promulgation.
Meanwhile, the court issued Lee and Guerrero a warrant of arrest.
The four accused will pay Navarro the amounts of P100,000 as civil damages, P100,000 as civil indemnity, P100,000 as moral damages, and P100,000 as exemplary damages.
“All monetary awards shall earn a legal interest rate of 6% per annum from the finality of the judgment until fully paid,” the Taguig RTC said.
Navarro was not present at the hearing, but his attorney, Atty. Alma Mallonga said Navarro welcomed the decision.
In 2014, Lee and his associates were accused of holding Navarro captive and inflicting serious physical injuries on him.
