By Tracy Cabrera
POBLACION, Makati City — Celebrity actresses Michelle Dee, Rhian Ramos and Samantha Panlilio are now facing criminal charges before a local court over complaints of slight illegal detention, unlawful arrest and physical injuries (torture).
The complaints were filed before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office last Wednesday, May 13, by the former driver of Ramos, Bonifacio Baro, also known as Totoy.
In his sworn statement, Baro claimed that he was detained by the respondents on January 17 (the current year) at the condominium unit in Makati City where Dee and Ramos are residing.
According to the complainant, he is determined to pursue his complaint and will not settle for any form of agreement.
Baro is being assisted in his complaint by Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) president Arsenio ‘Boy’ Evangelista, to whom Ramos’ former driver sought help. In turn, Evangelist brought him to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), where he narrated his ordeal.
Evangelista explained that it took them four months to file the complaint against the three celebrities due to the fact that it also took them the same length of time to collect corroborating statements, CCTV materials, and backtracking of events to strengthen the case.
“It took time for NBI to file the case because they wanted to have an airtight case for the case build-up that will lead to a reasonable certainty of trial to a higher court and lead to conviction,” the VACC prexy added.
He likewise expressed gratitude to those who helped and supported Baro’s quest for justice.
“Alias Totoy and VACC would like to thank and give recognition to the men and women of NBI, for taking recognition of the case of Alias Totoy with perseverance, integrity, and courage,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Dee’s legal counsel, Atty. Maggie Garduque issued a reaction to the charges against her client: “Baseless ang mga alegasyon ng complainant. We find the timing of the filing of the cases suspicious, considering that there are other more pressing cases/controversy the bureau is facing now.”
Garduque added that “(they) will file (their) counter affidavit showing that these cases are not only baseless but frivolous, but with the sole intention to make it a vengeful suit against the theft case Michelle filed against (Baro).”
Dee’s lawyer also disclosed that the case of qualified theft her client filed has already been elevated in court: “It is unfortunate that this is filed despite the favorable resolution of the Office of the City Prosecutor of Makati to the theft case of Michelle Dee against [Baro].”
“Last Friday, we received the resolution of OCP of Makati indicting (Baro) for the crime of theft, and yesterday, the OCP of Makati formally filed the information in court charging Baro for the crime of theft.
“The case is now pending before the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 127 of Makati,” Garduque asserted.
ia/xf
