How did Vhong Navarro’s alleged attacker manage to escape?

One of the accused in mauling of actor-host Vhong Navarro is now out of the country.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was dismayed after finding out that Jose Paolo “JP” Calma left the country for Singapore last April 10, without anyone knowing.

His departure came a day before the arrest warrant against him was signed.

Calma is among the seven people charged with grave coercion in connection to the beating of Navarro last January.

But the Bureau of Immigration said that it was only informed of the warrant for Calma on April 14, while the immigration lookout bulletin order was only issued day after.

“Jose Paolo Gregorio Calma, an accused for the charge of grave coercion before the municipal trial court of taguig, was cleared to depart on 10 April 2014. On 14 April 2014, the Bureau was informed of the existence of the warrant dated 10 April 2014. On 15 April 2014, the DOJ issued ILBO against Calma,” Atty. Elaine Tan, Deputy Spokesperson of BI said in a statement.

Should the bureau have been informed earlier, Calma may still be able to slip to authorities.

“The one registered the BI database is John Paul Calma. I think nakalagay sa passport niya ay Jose Paolo Calma,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.

Saying yung nakalagay kasi sa look out order ay JOHN PAUL CALMA eh nakalagay sa passport niya ay Jose Paolo Calma kaya nakalusot

Calma, Bernice exempted from serious illegal detention charges?

Meanwhile, Navarro’s camp questioned why Calma and Bernice Lee were not included in the warrant of arrest on the separate charge of serious illegal detention, a non-bailable offense.

“We believe they were part of the conspiracy and therefore we are going to file a motion for reconsideration from that particular ruling of the court,” Atty. Alma Mallonga, legal counsel of Navarro, said.

The arrest warrants were issued on Monday by Judge Paz Esperanza Cortes of the Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 271 against Deniece Cornejo, Cedric Lee, Jed Fernandez, Simeon Raz Jr. and Ferdinand Guerrero in connection with the serious illegal detention case filed by Navarro.

The Justice Department will file a motion before the Taguig RTC for the inclusion of both Bernice and Calma in the arrest warrant.

The manhunt continues for others accused in the case.

The NBI is also keeping watch on ports in case Cedric Lee’s group will try to flee the country by sea.