Former beauty contestant accuses Vhong of rape
Kapamilya actor Vhong Navarro faces another rape complaint, this time from former beauty contestant Roxanne Acosta.
She relates that the incident happened in 2010, after she met Vhong in a noontime show four years ago.
According to a report on "24 Oras," Vhong fetched Roxanne in a hotel, where she was staying with friends. Roxanne didn't delve into details about how the alleged rape happened.
Scared and young
Asked why she came out in the open only now, Roxanne replied, "I was scared, I was young. He threatened me. That was the truth. The reason why I didn't come out that day kasi wala akong laban. Takot ako, kasi baka patayin niya ako eh."
The 24-year-old Roxanne added that Deniece Cornejo’s rape charge against Vhong gave her (Roxanne) the confidence to go to court.
Roxanne's legal counsel Virgilio Batalla shared that his client has been feeling uneasy over people’s comments about Vhong on social media.
"She was very down kasi sa social media, madaming tagahanga ang artista natin na si Vhong. So, hindi mo maiaalis sa kanya na mangamba," Batalla told TV Patrol.
Cedric’s claim
In an interview with ABS-CBN, businessman Cedric Lee, against whom Vhong filed multiple charges, claimed some women would also like to file complaints against the TV host-comedian.
"Merong ilang babae ang nagpapasalamat sa akin sa ginawa ko kay Vhong dahil sila raw ay biktima rin ni Vhong sa mga ganyang attempted rape," Cedric said.
It will be recalled that Vhong, who got involved in a mauling incident in a condominium unit in Taguig City, filed charges of serious physical injuries, illegal detention, grave threats, unlawful arrest, grave coercion and blackmail against Cedric and Deniece’s group.
The Taguig City court junked Deniece’s plea for a temporary protection order against Vhong for lack of merit.
Vhong’s lawyer reacts
Meanwhile, the TV host-comedian’s legal counsel Alma Mallonga downplays the new rape complaint against her client.
"Vhong is very confident na wala siyang ginagawang krimen against anybody," she said in an interview on DZMM.
The TV host-comedian has the support of Anne Curtis, Vice Ganda and other fellow celebrities.
