Deniece’s 2nd rape complaint vs. Vhong junked

The complaint filed by Deniece Cornejo against Vhong Navarro alleging she was raped last January 17, 2014 has been dismissed by the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office.

The said rape complaint, although referring to an earlier date, is actually the second one filed by Cornejo. Her first rape compplaint, which was dismissed by the Department of Justice (DOJ), referred to the alleged sexual assault that happened on January 22, 2014.

Deniece’s plight

For the record, made no mention of the alleged sexual assault on January 17 in her complaint-affidavit for the first rape case she filed against Navarro.

Explaining why Cornejo only detailed the alleged rape on January 17 in her counter-affidavit,  Cornejo’s legal counsel, Atty. Howard Calleja, had said, “We have to give leeway and understanding to the rape victim. It is hard enough to relive one’s experience again and again and again. And it’s harder to relive two or three or more than one experience.”

The decision

However, the resolution from the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office, dated July 1, 2014, reads, in part: “[Cornejo’s] subsequent actions belie of a rape which happened on January 17, 2014. She appeared to be normal in going about her daily activities. No changes in behavior or attitude were observed.”

“If indeed the complainant was raped on January 17 or 18, 2014; why did she allow herself to be raped again on January 22, 2014? There is no sign of struggle, no physical injuries. Complainant’s narration of the actual act of rape is incredible.”

The resolution also took note of the demeanor of Cedric Lee and others who arrived at Cornejo’s condominium early January 18, supposedly to rescue her. Cornejo, in her complaint, claimed that she asked Lee and his companions for help through text message.

“CCTV photo grabs were submitted showing Cedric Lee and cohorts smiling inside the condominium’s elevator at 1:40 a.m., of January 18, 2014 which would be contrary to a person’s disposition when going to the rescue of a friend,” the resolution read.

Vhong Navarro’s camp weighs in

In a statement given to ABS-CBN News on Friday, July 11, Navarro’s legal counsel, Atty. Alma Mallonga, said the dismissal of the second rape complaint “vindicates Vhong, gives lie to the baseless charges against him, and brings him one step closer to reaching the end of his quest for full justice.”

Cornejo is currently detained at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Quezon City after being charged with serious illegal detention, in connection with the January 22 mauling of Navarro.

Cornejo’s co-accused, Lee and Simeon Raz, Jr., are under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila.