CA affirms illegal detention case vs Cedric Lee

MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals (CA) has denied businessman Cedric Lee’s motion to dismiss the complaint for serious illegal detention filed against him by actor Vhong Navarro.

In a 12-page decision dated Oct. 28 but released to media only yesterday, the CA’s 17th Division affirmed a 2019 order issued by the Taguig Regional Trial Court, denying Lee’s petition to dismiss the case.

The CA decision was penned by Associate Justice Angelene Quimpo-Sale.

The appeals court considered Lee’s motion to dismiss “a second demurrer to evidence.”

Navarro had accused Lee and six others – Deniece Cornejo, Bernice Cua Lee, Simeon Palma Raz Jr., Jose Paolo Gregorio Calma, Sajed Fernandez Abuhijleh and Ferdinand Guerrero – of serious illegal detention.

Navarro said the group of Lee kept him in Cornejo’s condominium unit in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on Jan. 22, 2014.

Lee allegedly beat up Navarro and threatened to kill the actor if he did not pay them P2 million.

Navarro agreed to pay half of the amount in exchange for his release.

Navarro had been accused by Cornejo of raping her. He is being held at the National Bureau of Investigation detention facility on charges of rape and acts of lasciviousness.