Text exchange between Vhong Navarro and Deniece Cornejo retrieved by NBI

Vhong Navarro's lawyer, Atty. Alma Mallonga, recently confirmed through DZMM that the text messages between the comedian-TV host and Deniece Cornejo in relation to the January 22 mauling incident have been retrieved by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

"We are so happy with the work that is being done by the NBI," Mallonga said in the radio interview.

The text messages retrieved would help disprove Cornejo's claim that Navarro attempted to rape her.

"Doon mo makikita, ano... And we know for a fact that those text messages were sent and received. We know the [exchange] was made. Lahat 'yon, makukuha don sa phone," the lawyer said.

The piece of news was previously posted by seasoned journalist Tony Calvento on his Facebook page, saying that the messages retrieved include Cornejo's invitation for Navarro to go to her condo.

On Jan. 22, Navarro was mauled inside the Forbeswood Heights condo unit where Cornejo was staying. He was tied up and beaten by at least six men led by Cedric Lee.

Lee claims that they beat Navarro up only because they tried to rescue Cornejo from being raped. CCTV footage, however, says otherwise.

On Jan. 28, Navarro filed legal charges against Cornejo, Lee and his group. The charges include serious physical injuries, grave threat, grave coercion, unlawful arrest, blackmail, and serious illegal detention, which is a non-bailable offense.

On Jan. 29, Cornejo filed a rape case against Navarro.

The preliminary investigation for Navarro's charges against Cornejo and Lee' group was done on February 14 at the Department of Justice. It was held the same day as the hearing of Cornejo's petition for Temporary Restraining Order (TPO) against Navarro, which the Taguig court dismissed.

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