Atty. Alma Mallonga reveals threats from Cedric Lee

Atty. Alma Mallonga, the lawyer of embattled actor Vhong Navarro, admitted that she has received a threat from businessman Cedric Lee, amid the filing of a third rape complaint against her client.

In a "Buzz ng Bayan" exclusive report, Mallonga said she received a threat directly from Lee, telling her to either settle or drop the case; otherwise, she herself will also face charges.

"Last Thursday, may ipinaabot na mensahe sa akin si Mr. Lee himself na sinasabi na i-settle na itong kasong ito, drop the case or settle the case, or ikaw mismo Atty. Mallonga, humanda ka at magkakaroon ka mismo ng kaso," she said.

"Sa akin, ang unang dating noon ay mukhang ganito talaga ang gawain ni Mr. Lee," Mallonga added.

A third rape complaint was filed last Wednesday against Navarro, following similar cases lodged against the actor in the last two months by different women.

The latest rape complaint was filed by a woman who claims that the incident happened back in 2009.

According to Mallonga, the complaint could be another ploy to divert attention from the primary case, saying it is part of a "strategy" supposedly plotted by Lee.

Lee is one of eight persons facing criminal charges, including the non-bailable offense of illegal detention, in relation to the mauling of Navarro last January 22 -- the same night model Deniece Cornejo alleged she was raped by the actor.

"Noong pagkalabas na pagkalabas pa lang nito, mayroon na siyang (Lee) sinasabi na mayroon siyang mga nakausap na babae. In fact, mga six or seven or even eight. Ang nakakatawa nga doon, at tinatanong, paano naman niya nalaman ang mga cellphone number ng mga babae nito kung hindi siya mismo ang naghanap," she explained.

But Mallonga said she and her client will stay strong amid the new charges filed against Navarro.

"Ang malinaw sa amin, hindi kami susuko sa takot, hindi kami patatalo sa takot," she said.


From: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/