Cedric Lee arrested in Samar

Fugitive businessman Cedric Lee, one of the 7 accused in the controversial mauling of actor Vhong Navarro, was arrested in Oras, Eastern Samar.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said Lee was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation with another suspect, Simeon Raz.

Lee was arrested for the criminal charges of grave coercion and serious illegal detention, which is a non-bailable offense, in connection with the January 22 incident that left Navarro with serious injuries.

Arrest warrants for the grave coercion charges were issued last week by the Taguig Metropolitan Trial Court against Lee, sister Bernice, Deniece Cornejo, Raz, Jed Fernandez, Jose Paolo Calma, and Ferdinand Guerrero.

Bernice Lee, Cornejo, and Fernandez have since posted P12,000 bail each for the criminal offense.

Last Monday, arrest warrants for serious illegal detention were issued by the Taguig Regional Trial Court against the group, with the exception of Bernice and Calma.

Lee cancelled his April 12 flight to Dubai after information about it leaked.

Guerrero attempted to leave for Hong Kong last April 14, but was prevented by immigration officers.

Calma, meanwhile, left the Philippines on April 10, despite a lookout bulletin order mentioning his name. According to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, confusion over the suspect’s name allowed him to leave the country.