Security agency: Forbeswood ordered Navarro mauling report withheld

Photo by Tetch Torres/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines- The private security agency manning the posh condominium in Taguig where actor-host Vhong Navarro was beaten up said they failed to immediately report the incident to the police because their client condominium, Forbeswood Heights management, told them to hold their report.

“We are subject to the desires of our client,” said lawyer Wilfredo Molless, property manager of United Megaforce Security Services Inc in a press conference Monday at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Quezon City.

In an official statement, Megaforce said the CCTV footage, logbook and other documents being asked by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the PNP are properties of the condominium and they are not allowed to release these documents without the consent of their client.

The security agency said they have cooperated with the NBI and the statements of their guards were already taken last Jan. 27 and additional information will be submitted to the bureau this Monday.

“Our guards have reported to Taguig police on 3 instances for the purpose of submitting themselves to investigation last Jan. 27, 29, and 30,” said lawyer Phydias Emmanuel Ramos of Megaforce.

“We have in place  the standard security procedures in handling cases similar to the case of Vhong Navarro, however, a peculiar circumstance in the said incident is that one of the involved parties is the condominium occupant herself, Ms. Deniece [Cornejo], who gave information and instructions to the guards, which the guards believed to be legitimate,” Ramos said.

He added that they would continue to cooperate with the government authorities in their investigations without compromising the privacy and interest of their client condominium.

Earlier this Monday, the PNP Supervisory Office for Security Investigation Agency (SOSIA) summoned the security guards of Forbeswood condominium in Taguig City accompanied by their lawyer to shed light on the mauling incident.

Major Sonny Celedio of the PNP SOSIA said they have imposed a P5,000 initial sanction on the security agency and may file additional charges after their investigation is done.

“We are looking into the infraction of the security agency for the failure to report the incident within 24 hours,” Celedio said.

He added that any incident police assistance should be informed to them.

RELATED STORIES

Vhong Navarro has a more credible story, unofficial poll shows

PNP probes security agency over Navarro case